The Eden Project has appointed the National Trust’s director of gardens and parklands Andy Jasper to be its group chief executive.

He joins in September and replaces Rob Chatwin, who is leaving after three years in the role.

This is his second stint at the charity, having spent 13 years as its head of research and evaluation focusing on evaluating the social and economic impact of its Cornwall project.

He rejoins amid a period of expansion, developing sites in Morecambe and Dundee.

Other areas of expansion include Eden Projects in China, Dubai, Australia and Costa Rica.

Jasper is also a former director of the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii and programme director of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden Wisley. He has also worked on garden projects in Germany and South Africa.

“As a Cornishman, I look forward to returning to the spectacular Eden Project in Cornwall, where I laid the foundations of a global career,” said Jasper.

“It is such an honour to be chosen to lead the Eden Project, one of the most important, unique and forward-looking organisations of this century. We will pull out every stop to deliver the innovative new Eden Projects in Morecambe – where I have family links - and Dundee.

“I can’t wait to rejoin and lead, nurture and support the fantastic team as we take the Eden Project into its next chapter.”

Eden Trust chair Orna NiChionna added: “We are delighted to have recruited Andy Jasper as our next CEO.

“His career is completely aligned with our mission, ethos and level of ambition and he comes with a compelling track record of leading, motivating and empowering teams as well as delivering major capital projects that result in true transformation.

“He will be building on the excellent work carried out by our outgoing CEO, Rob Chatwin, who led our successful £50m Levelling Up Fund bid for the forthcoming Eden Project Morecambe and initiated our transition to a global, multi-site operation, including projects in China, Costa Rica and Dubai.

“Rob will work closely with Andy on the handover – ensuring that there is no loss of momentum as Andy picks up the reins in this next phase in our growth.”

---