Grit keynotes for the birthplace of radio
Marconi opened the world’s first radio factory in Chelmsford in 1899. Paris brings The Grit Code to the city’s engineers, financiers and public servants.
Wireless pioneers
In 1899 Guglielmo Marconi opened the world’s first wireless factory in Hall Street, earning Chelmsford its claim as the birthplace of radio.
Chelmsford received city status in 2012. M&G, Teledyne e2v and ebm-papst are based here, along with Essex Police and Essex County Council.
Anglia Ruskin University’s campus stands on the old Hoffmann factory site, and Hylands Park west of the city served as SAS headquarters in 1944–45.
Who Paris speaks to in Chelmsford
Electronics and imaging
Keynotes for engineering teams.
Asset management
Resilience for investment teams.
Police and county council
Talks for frontline services.
Anglia Ruskin University
Sessions for students and staff.
Event venues
Hylands House, the racecourse and Chelmsford’s hotels host the city’s conferences and celebrations.
- Hylands House – a country house and parkland west of the city
- Chelmsford City Racecourse – at Great Leighs, opened in 2008
- City-centre hotels – for training days and dinners
Ways to book Paris in Chelmsford
Choose the flagship Grit Code keynote (45–60 min), a Grit Deconstruction workshop (90 min to half day), a 30–45 min virtual keynote, or Paris as host and MC for the day. Compare formats →
Endurance you can measure
A marathon on every continent
7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, from Antarctica to Miami via Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid and Fortaleza.
4,800 km of open ocean
The 2023 Pacific row, which raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
Read The Grit Code and how it is delivered. The Grit Code keynote · Keynote speaker Colchester · Keynote speaker London
Booking for Chelmsford
Available for in-person events in Chelmsford, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book UK speakers about three months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
See also keynote speaker in the UK, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Chelmsford’s economy and who the talk is for
Chelmsford has a population of about 115,369 (2016 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
How a Grit Code session works
- Paris starts with a short briefing call to understand the room, the sector and the challenge in front of it.
- The keynote uses film from his expeditions and TV work to make each idea concrete.
- Many organisers pair it with a Grit Deconstruction workshop or ask Paris to host the full day.
The content is shaped around Chelmsford organisations and their goals, so the room hears examples that match its own challenges. Paris presents as an adventurer and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, not as a theorist.
Where the talk fits in Chelmsford
Organisers in Chelmsford usually book Paris for one of these occasions:
- Kick-off meetings for new financial years, projects or teams.
- Industry association conferences and trade-show main stages.
- Executive retreats that pair the keynote with a Grit Deconstruction workshop.
- Hybrid all-hands meetings with a virtual version for remote staff.
Credentials at a glance
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
Formats, timing and next steps
Most organisers book a 45–60 minute Grit Code keynote with Q&A. Teams that want to go further add the Grit Deconstruction workshop, which runs from 90 minutes to half a day and turns the talk into habits and commitments the group can use on Monday morning.
A 30–45 minute virtual version is available for remote or hybrid audiences. Paris can also host the full day as MC, which keeps the tone consistent from the opening to the close. He is CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, so the briefing call covers both the audience’s goals and the practical run-of-show.
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly. His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views. The talk draws on the 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, and on the 2023 Pacific row of 4,800 km that raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
To book, share the date, venue or virtual platform, audience size and the outcome you want. Paris replies with a short outline tailored to your room, then joins a briefing call before the event.
Questions from Chelmsford organisers
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Chelmsford?
Yes. Organisers in Chelmsford can book him in person or for a virtual session.
Does Paris speak to police and public-sector teams?
Yes. He focuses on staying effective through long, hard stretches.
Can Paris speak to engineering and tech firms?
Yes. He tailors the talk to innovation, failure and persistence.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Chelmsford?
Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day and turns the keynote’s ideas into team habits and actions.
Can the keynote be delivered online for teams in Chelmsford?
Yes. A 30–45 minute virtual version is available for remote or hybrid audiences, delivered in your local time zone.
Who has Paris spoken for?
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
How far in advance should we book?
Most organisers book between four and twelve weeks ahead. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible if the date is free, especially for virtual sessions.
Does Paris travel for in-person events?
Yes. He speaks at conferences and company events worldwide, in person or virtually, and shapes each talk around the local audience.
What does the briefing call cover?
Audience profile, the outcome you want, industry language to use or avoid, AV needs, and whether a workshop or MC role is part of the day.
Check a date for Chelmsford
Send the basics and Paris’s team will reply, or book a call.