Simon Milne MBE, 16th Regius Keeper of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, has been awarded a knighthood in the 2026 New Year’s Honours for his services to Botany, Conservation and Horticulture.
A former Royal Marine Commando, Director of the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, and CEO of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Simon has a long-held interest and expertise in leadership, biodiversity conservation, and international collaboration.
As Regius Keeper of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Simon has led the organisation over the last twelve years to strengthen its impact and position as one of the world’s most respected botanic institutions.
On receiving news of his knighthood, he said:
“It is an immense honour to be appointed a Knight Bachelor, the second in 355 years for this truly remarkable organisation.
“My interest in plants dates to the 1970s when, as a child, I helped propagate seeds brought back by my uncle from fieldwork in the Far East and volunteered on a local nature reserve. On reflection, these early experiences inspired my lifelong curiosity in nature and commitment to conservation.
“Receiving this award as I prepare to retire from such an extraordinary community is deeply meaningful. Our science, horticulture, conservation, education and engagement teams play a vital role in responding to the global biodiversity crisis, backed by an exceptional group of other specialist staff and volunteers whose work often goes unseen. Leading so many talented and committed people over my career has been a huge privilege, and I thank them all for their loyalty, support, and dedication.
“When I step down, I will do so with gratitude and confidence. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is in capable and visionary hands. I am proud of what we have achieved together locally, nationally and internationally, and even more so of the values of curiosity, care, and integrity that shape our culture - from those who tend the soil to those who sequence genomes.”
“As our research teams tackle urgent environmental challenges — pushing the boundaries of technology to deepen our understanding of biodiversity and evolution — they work hand in hand with conservation horticulturists who are pioneering new approaches to propagate rare species and return them to the wild. Complementing this scientific and horticultural work are community engagement programmes that support disadvantaged and hard-to-reach groups, making a profoundly positive impact on people’s lives, wellbeing, and sense of connection.”
One of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s greatest strengths lies in its network of longstanding international partnerships. From the Himalaya, Southeast Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula, to Central and South America, these relationships are built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared determination to address immense challenges to our natural environment.
Simon has invested heavily in nurturing and expanding these global collaborations. Working with heads of state, ambassadors, ministers and fellow botanic garden directors, he has championed plant conservation as a constructive and “safe” entry point to support broader international diplomacy on behalf of the UK.
Crucially, he has also led a major seven-year capital project to restore the Garden’s iconic Palm Houses. With this work nearing completion, further restoration of the modernist temperate and tropical public glasshouses — as well as new research glasshouses at the heart of scientific discovery — will follow as part of the wider Edinburgh Biomes initiative.
The only other Regius Keeper to have received a knighthood since the Garden’s inception in 1670 was Sir Isaac Bayley Balfour KBE FRS FRSE, ninth holder of the title. He was named in the 1920 civilian war honours list for “services in connection with the war”. This included persuading the War Office to the benefits of using sphagnum moss for wound dressings.
Welcoming the news of Simon Milne’s honour, Dominic Fry, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “On behalf of all at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh I am delighted that Simon has received a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list. It is richly deserved.
“In his 12 years as Regius Keeper, Simon has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has evolved with a changing world to address the major challenges of our times. Simon’s exemplary leadership has ensured we have tackled the twin threats of climate emergency and biodiversity loss, transformed our income generation and significantly increased our profile around the world.
Simon leaves the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh at the end of January 2026 with a remarkable legacy of achievement that will stand the organisation in good stead for the future. For that, and all of his other exceptional contributions, we thank him and wish him well.”