Andy Jasper has been appointed as the new chief executive of Eden Project Group

The Eden Project has announced that Andy Jasper will be the group’s new chief executive, replacing Rob Chatwin, who will step down in September after almost three years in the role.

Andy will join the Eden Project in September from the National Trust, where he is currently Director of Gardens and Parks.

He joins at an exciting new stage in Eden Project’s history, with Eden Project Morecambe about to go to tender and Eden Project Dundee recently granted planning permission.

In his current role, Andy is responsible for more than 500 years of horticultural heritage in 222 National Trust gardens and parks. He is the head of the profession for a team of over 750 horticulturists (including 106 head gardeners) and about 50 apprentices.

This will be Andy’s second spell at the Eden Project, having previously spent 13 years as Head of Project Research and Evaluation, where he specialized in understanding and communicating the social and economic impact of the Eden Project in Cornwall.

After leaving Eden, he spent over a decade working to transform attractions for visitors to the garden in the UK and overseas. As director of the Hawaii National Tropical Botanical Garden, USA, he created and led a highly successful capital investment program and reconfiguration of Kauai’s South Shore Gardens.

As Program Director of RHS Garden Wisley, he led the planning and execution of an acclaimed multi-million pound investment program in the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship garden. He also led the garden through the pandemic years.

Andy’s experience also covers projects in Germany and South Africa, as well as initiatives in the UK, including the Castlefield Viaduct Garden Project and securing Gertrude Jekyll’s home and garden, Munstead Wood, for the nation. He recently oversaw the design and delivery of the Octavia Hill Garden, which was voted ‘People’s Choice’ at the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Andy Jasper said: “As a Cornishman, I am looking forward to returning to the spectacular Eden Project in Cornwall, where I laid the foundation for a global career.

“It is an honor to be chosen to lead the Eden Project, one of the most important, unique and forward-looking organizations of this century. We will pull out all the stops to deliver the innovative new Eden projects in Morecambe – where I have family connections – and Dundee.

“I look forward to joining and leading, nurturing and supporting the fantastic team as we take Project Eden into its next chapter.”

Orna NiChionna, Chairman of the Eden Trust, said: “We are delighted to have recruited Andy Jasper as our next CEO. His career is fully aligned with our mission, ethos and level of ambition and he has a compelling track record of leading, motivating and empowering teams as well as delivering major capital projects resulting in true transformation.

“It will build on the excellent work done by our CEO, Rob Chatwin, who led our successful £50m Leveling Up Fund bid for Morecambe’s future Eden Project and initiated the transition to a global operation with more many locations including projects. in China, Costa Rica and Dubai. Rob will work closely with Andy on the handover – ensuring there is no loss of momentum as Andy takes the reins in the next phase of our growth.”

National Trust chief executive Hilary McGrady said: “Andy has proudly led and championed all things gardening over the past six years – from reinvigorating our stunning collection of gardens and initiating new training and development for staff, to to advocating for gardening and nature in public. sphere and arguing for new investment and innovation. I am delighted for Andy and wish him every success in leading the Eden Project.”