Resilience keynotes for Coventry’s engineers and students
Coventry rebuilt itself after the Blitz and remains a centre of the British motor industry. Paris brings The Grit Code to its companies and universities.
A city that rebuilt itself
Much of Coventry’s historic centre, including its cathedral, was destroyed in the air raid of November 1940. The ruined shell still stands beside the new cathedral.
The first British motor car was made here by Daimler in 1897, and Jaguar Land Rover has its headquarters at Whitley in Coventry.
The University of Warwick and Coventry University are both in the city, and Coventry was UK City of Culture for 2021. In 2023 Paris rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
Who Paris speaks to in Coventry
Automotive and engineering
Resilience for engineering and production teams.
Warwick and Coventry universities
Talks for students and researchers.
Business schools
Keynotes for executive-education groups.
Football and sport
Endurance stories for clubs.
Where Coventry meets
The arena’s exhibition hall and the Warwick campus host the city’s biggest conferences.
- Coventry Building Society Arena – a 32,609-seat stadium with a 6,000 m² exhibition hall and hotel
- University of Warwick – conference facilities on its campus
Keynote, workshop or virtual
Most Coventry organisers book the 45–60 minute Grit Code keynote. Teams that want depth add a Grit Deconstruction workshop of 90 minutes to half a day, remote audiences get a 30–45 minute virtual version, and Paris can also host and moderate full-day events. Compare formats →
Tested at sea, on the ice and on stage
7 marathons, 7 continents
Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Rowed the Pacific
4,800 km in 2023, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
Read the story behind The Grit Code. The Grit Code keynote · Keynote speaker Birmingham · Keynote speaker Leicester
How a booking works
Available for in-person events in Coventry, 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.
Coventry’s economy and who the talk is for
Coventry has a population of about 362,690 (2016 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Coventry is the head-office city for organisations such as Jaguar Land Rover (automobile manufacturer).
Telecoms (Jaguar Land Rover). Telecoms businesses run networks that can never stop. Paris has spoken for Nokia, and his message on steady, disciplined effort under pressure suits network, sales and customer teams alike.
How a Grit Code session works
- Before the event, Paris speaks with the organiser about the audience and the outcome they want.
- On the day, the 45–60 minute Grit Code keynote mixes adventure film, stories and practical tools.
- Afterwards, teams can go deeper with a Grit Deconstruction workshop of 90 minutes to half a day.
The content is shaped around Coventry 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 Coventry
These are typical Coventry events for The Grit Code:
- Annual company conferences and town halls.
- Change and transformation programmes, including AI adoption.
- Safety, wellbeing and performance days for operations teams.
- Charity dinners and community events, which Paris knows well as an ambassador for Gulf for Good.
Credentials at a glance
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
- In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
Common questions
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Coventry?
Yes. Paris takes Coventry bookings for keynotes, workshops and hosting, live or virtual.
Does Paris speak to automotive and engineering teams?
Yes. The keynote can focus on long programmes, setbacks and adapting the plan.
Can Paris speak at Warwick Business School events?
Yes. He speaks at university and executive-education events.
Which Coventry industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Coventry it suits telecoms audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Coventry?
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 Coventry?
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.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact