Keynotes for Derby’s engine builders
Derby builds jet engines, trains and cars. Paris brings The Grit Code to the engineering teams that make the city run.
Birthplace of the factory
In 1717 John Lombe and George Sorocold built Britain’s first water-powered silk mill here. Derby holds the southern end of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, and the old silk mill is now the Museum of Making.
Rolls-Royce opened its factory in 1907 and is still one of the two largest employers, alongside Toyota, whose UK headquarters is at Burnaston. Alstom builds trains at Litchurch Lane.
Derby has had a cathedral since 1927 but only gained city status in 1977.
Who Paris speaks to in Derby
Aero engines
Keynotes for engineering teams.
Train manufacturing
Resilience for production staff.
Car manufacturing
Talks on process and persistence.
University of Derby
Sessions for students and staff.
Where Derby meets
Pride Park, Derby Arena and the Museum of Making host the city’s conferences and engineering events.
- Derby Arena – a velodrome and indoor arena at Pride Park, opened in 2015
- Pride Park Stadium – home of Derby County, 33,597 seats
- Museum of Making – in Derby’s historic silk mill
Keynote, workshop or virtual
The Grit Code keynote (45–60 min) · Grit Deconstruction workshop (90 min to half day) · virtual keynote (30–45 min) · event host and MC. Compare formats →
Why audiences believe him
5 days, 21 hours, 51 minutes
The time it took Paris to run 7 marathons on 7 continents: Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami.
More than £150,000 raised
For marine conservation, by rowing 4,800 km across the Pacific in 2023.
7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes. See how the plan worked. The Grit Code keynote · Keynote speaker Nottingham · Keynote speaker Leicester
How a booking works
Available for in-person events in Derby, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book UK speakers about three months ahead, and shorter notice is sometimes possible, so it is worth asking.
See also keynote speaker in the UK, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Derby’s economy and who the talk is for
Derby has a population of about 255,394 (2011 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
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 Derby 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 Derby
Organisers in Derby 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
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
- 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.
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.
Common questions
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Derby?
Yes. Paris takes Derby bookings for keynotes, workshops and hosting, live or virtual.
Does Paris speak to aerospace and rail engineers?
Yes. He focuses on preparation, attention to detail and recovering from setbacks.
Can Paris speak at a factory or plant event?
Yes. He can give the keynote on site or virtually for shift teams.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Derby?
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 Derby?
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.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact