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Dr Julia Knights

A soil scientist and chartered horticulturist, Julia has been appointed the 17th Regius Keeper (CEO) of the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, starting at the end of January 2026.

Julia’s career spans over 20 years in biodiversity, conservation and climate change – including 12 years as a Diplomat leading science teams in East China, Russia and South America. In Brazil, Julia led a multi million pound UK-Brazil fund for research including for identifying new plant species in the Amazon rainforest.

Julia also worked in the Senior Civil Service in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, where she led a team of climate scientists and statisticians to provide the science underpinning the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 legislation.

Passionate about trees, plants and fungi, previously Julia was Deputy Director of London’s Science Museum for nearly six years, leading the Curatorial, Public Engagement, Operations and Visitor Experience teams delivering a raft of major exhibitions on the environment such as Amazônia and Future of Food. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, a Trustee of the Woodland Trust and a member of the Royal Society’s Public Engagement Committee. Julia joined the Board in June 2023.