Visit Jersey’s Kevin Keen talks family holidays, classic motorcycles and self-improvement.
Kevin Keen, 62, has worked across a diverse range of industries during his 44-year career. Born and educated in Jersey, he began training as an accountant aged just 16. Currently he’s a non-executive Chairman of Visit Jersey, and he’s previously held senior roles at Le Riche Group, Jersey Dairy, Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Jersey Water, Jersey Post, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the JSPCA.
What’s your day-to-day work routine?
I now work for a number of Jersey organisations both on a paid and volunteer basis, so no day is typical. To the extent there is a routine, it’s getting up early, checking news sites, seeing what has happened on Twitter. After that it really depends on who I am working for on that day.
What’s the most interesting thing about your work?
The opportunity to help organisations change for the better.
What are you watching/reading/listening to?
Currently I am reading The New Long Life by Andrew Scott and Lynda Gratton. I am very interested in how longer lives are and will change Jersey. I watch the news on TV and then spend my time flicking through the channels not really watching anything. I am finally learning to use the off button.
What are the last three accounts you followed on social media?
- @Invest_for_Good
- @JerseyoneTV
- @IslandsInnovate
When are you happiest?
When I am with my family. Until Covid, we were still having a family holiday even though two of my daughters now live in Australia and my oldest daughter is married with two young children. It is a tradition that we have kept going until 2020 – I really hope 2021 will see it resumed.
What keeps you awake at night?
Having a glass of wine.
What traits do you most like in yourself?
I like to help people.
What traits do you dislike in yourself?
I tend to procrastinate, but I am getting better.
What do you do to relax?
Play around with my collection of classic motorcycles; bikes I owned as teenager but had to sell, now replaced with restored versions. The oldest is a Kawasaki H1E 500, aged 47, but still great fun.
How do you measure success?
Tricky question because it depends on circumstances, but I like to see solutions that are long term in nature and sustainable. I really dislike short term measures that can and are gamed especially where there are bonuses involved.
