REGIUS keeper of the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, Simon Milne, and former Hearts chair Ann Budge have been named in the King’s New Year Honours list.
They are among 30 people across Edinburgh and the Lothians to have been recognised.
Simon Milne who heads the organisation in charge of the city’s botanic gardens was awarded a knighthood. He is the 16th Regius Keeper of the grounds, a position he has held since 2014.
Praised for maintaining and widening global partnerships with environmental organisations across the world, he has also led a major seven-year capital project to restore the Garden’s iconic Palm Houses.
Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens have drawn visitors from around the world.
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.”
Also recognised in the honours was Ann Budge, the former chair and current honorary president of Heart of Midlothian.
The 77-year-old was the sole director of a consortium that helped take Hearts out of administration in 2014, with the Gorgie club finding some stablity under her leadership.
While she stepped down from her duties in the summer, Hearts have since made a historic start to their season, becoming the first non-Old Firm club to lead the Premiership table at Christmas since 1993.
Speaking about the honour, Budge said; “This is an incredibly proud moment, not just for myself but for my family too, because their support across the years allowed me to focus on doing the very best job that I could for Heart of Midlothian Football Club.
“Although sport has been such a big part of my life over the past decade, so too has community. Transforming Hearts’ relationship with the local community, and driving it forward, has been a passion of mine. To therefore be recognised for services to both sport and community is a very rewarding feeling.”
Related