Jeni Smith Keynote Speaker

Telegraph & NatWest “100 Women to Watch”
Future 100 Young Entrepreneurs (UK)
Durham University 3 Minute Thesis winner (2024)

Jeni Smith's Biography

Jeni Smith is a UK-based keynote speaker, facilitator, and founder of NetKno, a consultancy specialising in networking strategy and relationship-led growth. With over 20 years’ experience working with organisations across corporate, public sector, and higher education, Jeni’s work focuses on how people build trust, collaborate effectively, and navigate complex professional relationships.

Alongside her commercial work, Jeni is currently undertaking a PhD at Durham University Business School, applying design science to develop tools to bridge the gap between academics and practitioners. Her research-informed approach gives her work depth and credibility, while her entrepreneurial background ensures every session remains grounded, practical, and relevant.

Jeni has delivered keynotes, workshops, and facilitated sessions for organisations including HSBC, the Department for International Trade, NHS bodies, universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Durham and Manchester, and a wide range of business networks and leadership audiences across the UK and internationally.

Known for her engaging style, warmth, and clarity, Jeni helps audiences think differently about how they connect, communicate, and collaborate, offering insight that is both intellectually credible and immediately usable.

Networking Skills & Strategy

Human Connection in a Digital Age

Making Meaningful Connection Matter

Networking for Career Progression

Strategic Frameworks to Network Smarter

Academic-practitioner Collaborations

From Practitioner to PhD – bridging the gap

Female Entrepreneurship

She sits at the intersection of human connection, collaboration and performance, showing leaders how to build trust and strengthen relationships in complex environments.
She brings a research-informed lens as a PhD researcher at Durham University Business School, translating evidence into practical tools that audiences can apply immediately.
She equips teams to improve communication and collaboration, helping organisations achieve better outcomes in a world increasingly shaped by technology and AI.
She is an experienced keynote speaker and facilitator, delivering engaging sessions for corporate, public sector and higher education audiences across the UK and internationally.
She combines academic insight with real-world entrepreneurial experience as the founder of NetKno, ensuring every session remains grounded, practical and relevant.