Stephen's blooming good work earns royal honour

THE man responsible for driving forward the national and international profile of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) over the last decade has been conferred the title of Her Majesty's Botanist in Scotland.

Regius Keeper Professor Stephen Blackmore received the signed Royal Warrant from RBGE Board of Trustees chairman, Sir George Mathewson, on Monday.

The announcement comes almost a year to the day since Professor Blackmore unofficially opened the Garden's prestigious John Hope Gateway visitor centre and two months after he welcomed Her Majesty the Queen to the garden for the official opening.

Professor Blackmore, 56, is a graduate of Reading University, where he also obtained his PhD.

Following appointments in the Aldabra Research Station in the Seychelles and at the University of Malawi, he joined the Natural History Museum, London in 1980.

He was appointed the museum's Keeper of Botany in 1990, serving until 1999, when he took up the post of Regius Keeper at the Botanics.

Since moving from his research career at the Natural History Museum, Professor Blackmore has strengthened RBGE's presence on the world stage of scientific and horticultural research and conservation work.

As well as undertaking the responsibilities of directing an international organisation, he has personally involved himself in numerous international projects ranging from Belize to China and Indonesia.

At the same time he has championed RBGE's reputation as one of Scotland's cultural institutions, the home of award-winning art shows and popular theatre.

Professor Blackmore said: "Ultimately, botanic gardens around the world must engage with the public in the widest sense.

"Thanks to the quality of the staff I am privileged to lead we are able to deliver not only scientific and horticultural expertise but also an extraordinary educational offer, art exhibitions and a dazzling array of family events, encouraging an understanding of why plants are integral to our lives."

Sir George added: "In his first decade here Steve has not only supported a new generation of international research initiatives, he has been an ambassador abroad for Scotland and remained committed to more clearly defining the importance of the garden's role at home.".

Richard Lochhead MSP, on behalf of First Minister Alex Salmond, said that the Scottish Government "recognises Prof Blackmore's contribution to the science of botany and his important work at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh".

Professor Blackmore is married with a son and daughter.