“I feel like my life is a bit like the TARDIS. It’s sort of, it’s bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.”
These words from Professor Kerensa Jennings perfectly capture what it means to live a truly full and purposeful life. In our latest episode of Raise Your Visibility Online, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with this remarkable woman who has worn more professional hats than a theatrical costume department – and wears them all brilliantly.
A Career That Defies Categories
Kerensa’s journey reads like a masterclass in following your passions whilst building strategic foundations for the future. From her early days as a BBC television producer working on programmes like “Breakfast with Frost” and a palaeontology series featuring Sir David Attenborough, to becoming the BBC’s Head of Strategic Delivery and later BT’s Group Director of Data Platforms, her career has been anything but linear.
But here’s what struck me most: whilst building this impressive corporate trajectory, Kerensa was simultaneously cultivating what would become her portfolio career safety net. She wasn’t just climbing one ladder – she was building an entire scaffold of opportunities, relationships, and expertise.
The Art of Strategic Networking (Without the Ick Factor)
One of the most valuable insights from our conversation was how Kerensa approached building her professional network. This wasn’t about collecting business cards at events or sending generic LinkedIn requests. Instead, she focused on:
- Genuine contribution: Whether it was connecting Small Business Britain with BT or helping a museum run cybersecurity training, Kerensa always looked for ways to add real value
- Cross-pollination: She beautifully describes how she “cross-pollinates” between her various roles, creating win-win scenarios
- Long-term relationship building: Some of her board positions came through connections made years earlier
Building Your Portfolio Career Foundation
For anyone inspired by Kerensa’s journey but wondering “where do I even start?”, she offers practical advice:
Start Local and Meaningful
- Become a school governor
- Apply to be a trustee at local charities
- Look for organisations where you genuinely want to make a difference
Be Authentic About Your Motivations
Kerensa emphasises the importance of doing board work for the right reasons. She’s witnessed trustees who join for the “shiny bauble” effect or as stepping stones to commercial boards, only to disappoint when they don’t truly engage.
Prepare for the Process
These positions are competitive. There are application processes, interviews, and assessments of both your expertise and cultural fit. It’s not just about what you can offer – it’s about whether you’ll genuinely commit to the mission.
The Reality Check: Time Management and Boundaries
Let’s be honest – Kerensa’s calendar sounds intense. But she’s mastered the art of sustainable high performance through:
- Colour-coded calendaring: Different colours for different types of commitments (I love that red is non-negotiable time)
- Strategic saying no: She’s learnt to be better at declining opportunities that don’t align with her capacity or goals
- Prioritising the basics: Good sleep and nutrition aren’t negotiable
More Than Professional Success: The Human Story
What makes Kerensa’s story particularly compelling isn’t just her impressive CV – it’s her humanity. She shared openly about the profound impact of losing her mother unexpectedly, which accelerated her decision to pursue a portfolio career. Life is indeed too short to be “too sucked into one direction.”
Her bestselling book “Seas of Snow” emerged from her work covering one of Britain’s most tragic criminal cases as a journalist. The book represents both professional expertise and personal catharsis – a perfect example of how our various experiences can weave together in unexpected ways.
Key Takeaways for Building Your Own “TARDIS Life”
- Start building parallel interests whilst you’re still employed – Don’t wait for redundancy or dissatisfaction to force your hand
- Network authentically – Focus on how you can contribute rather than what you can gain
- Be transparent about your intentions – Kerensa’s honesty about her career plans actually strengthened her board applications
- Develop your “philosophical immune system” – Stay true to your values and goals even when faced with compelling alternatives
- Create systems that support your ambitions – Whether it’s colour-coded calendars or saying no to the wrong opportunities
The Ripple Effect
Perhaps my favorite aspect of Kerensa’s approach is her focus on creating positive ripple effects. As she beautifully puts it, “if even one thing you and I talk about today helps one person, that’s a ripple effect that might… if one person listening to this decides to become a school governor or decides to become a trustee of a charity… wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
This mindset – of contribution over consumption, of building bridges rather than burning them, of making life bigger on the inside through meaningful connections and purposeful work – is what makes her story so inspiring.
Ready to Connect?
You can find Kerensa on LinkedIn (but please, no requests for free mentoring – she already spends more than half her working year doing pro bono work!). For more personal insights, check out her Instagram @seasofsnow, named after her bestselling book.
And speaking of her book – the first five people to comment on this post will receive a complimentary copy from Kerensa herself. How’s that for building meaningful connections?
What resonated most with you from Kerensa’s journey? Are you inspired to explore board opportunities in your own community? Share your thoughts in the comments below – and remember, one small step towards building your own “TARDIS life” could create ripple effects you never imagined.
Listen to the full episode of Raise Your Visibility Online wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring conversations with business leaders who are making their mark on the world.