The Lost Gardens of Heligan has appointed David Harland as its new CEO.
Harland has acted as an independent advisor to the Heligan and Smit family boards for a number of years and will now be making the natural transition to this new role as chief executive of the group of companies, which encompasses the Lost Gardens of Heligan, the Shipwreck & Treasure Museum at Charlestown and Gillyflower Farm in Lostwithiel.
From 2013 to 2023, Harland occupied several executive positions at the Eden Project, including serving as the group chief executive of Eden Project and as the first chief executive of Eden Project International.
He is also an independent governor on the Falmouth University board and has recently been appointed to the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Commission to help drive climate action.
“I am thrilled to be working with the team,” he said. “I have always loved Heligan and have followed its journey for a long time – one of my first jobs as a student was in fact at the gardens way back in 1995!
“This is an exciting time for us as we direct our focus to the core of what The Lost Gardens of Heligan and our associated businesses represent for our team, visitors and onlookers.”
Speaking on behalf of the directors, Sir Tim Smit added: “We are delighted to welcome David Harland to join our team at Heligan and Smit Associates. Personally, I feel like a football manager who has persuaded a superb player to join our amazing team and help it evolve. All of us are thrilled and look forward to a long and successful future together.”
The visitor attraction announced earlier this year the appointment of Laura Chesterfield as MD, who continues to lead and oversee overall operations at The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
