Available to book
Tim Smit
Sustainability
Entrepreneurship
Innovation
Sir Tim Smit KBE helps organisations turn environmental purpose into commercial growth. A sustainability keynote speaker and social enterprise leader, Tim inspires audiences to align profit with purpose through storytelling, creativity, and regenerative thinking. Co-founder of the globally recognised Eden Project.
Environmentalist
Founder
Entrepreneur
CEO
Business Leader
Visionary
Thought Leader
Inspirational
World Earth Day
World Environment Day
Author
Broadcaster
Sir Tim Smit is an entrepreneur, regeneration pioneer, and sustainability leader best known for transforming ambitious environmental ideas into projects that deliver lasting social and economic impact.
Tim co-founded the Eden Project in Cornwall, one of Britain's most recognised environmental and visitor attractions, and helped restore The Lost Gardens of Heligan from decades of neglect into an internationally celebrated destination. Under his leadership, Eden evolved from a former clay pit into a landmark project that has generated more than £1.9 billion for the regional economy. He is also the founder of HOW2, a digital technical college, a recipient of the Royal Society of Arts Albert Medal, and a KBE.
Drawing on experience across heritage restoration, sustainability, education, science communication, and social enterprise, Tim demonstrates how large-scale projects can unite commercial success with environmental and community benefit. His work shows organisations how to build purpose-led initiatives that create measurable value while engaging people through clear storytelling and shared ambition.
Audiences leave Tim's sessions with a clearer sense of how environmental responsibility translates into commercial opportunity, and a practical framework for aligning organisational purpose with long-term value creation.
Book Tim Smit to bring one of the most compelling cases for sustainable enterprise to your next event.
Topics, sessions and talks
Sir Tim Smit KBE traces the entrepreneurial journey behind the Eden Project, from a neglected clay pit to a destination that has attracted 19 million visitors and contributed over £1.9 billion to the Cornish economy. Tim shares the decisions, principles, and creative risks that shaped Eden's growth, offering a candid account of how sustainability, innovation, and commercial rigour can reinforce rather than undermine each other.
Tim is a regeneration pioneer and sustainability leader whose Eden Project and Lost Gardens of Heligan restorations transformed communities, generated significant regional economic impact, and exemplify purpose-led enterprise. Drawing on his work, Tim provides practical frameworks for value creation delivered through compelling storytelling to mobilise people and organisations.
Testimonials
Featured Projects
often considered together
Zoe Bayliss Wong
Sustainability
Future of Work
Business Strategy
Chris Packham
Sustainability
Climate Change
Neurodiversity
Zion Lights
Climate Change
Global Warming
Sustainability
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email tim.smit@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Sir Tim's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Tim Smit structures his session as a first-person entrepreneurial case study, tracing the Eden Project from a derelict clay pit through the decisions and commercial risks that produced a destination generating £1.9 billion for the Cornish economy.
Sir Tim Smit KBE speaks on entrepreneurial decision-making, sustainability as a commercial strategy, and the economic impact of purpose-led regeneration projects. He co-founded the Eden Project, which has attracted 19 million visitors and contributed over £1.9 billion to the Cornish economy, and led the restoration of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, recognition of which includes a KBE and the Royal Society of Arts Albert Medal.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
Get the right person
Tell us what you’re working on and we’ll match you with the talent your audience won’t stop talking about.
