Keynotes for a World Heritage city
Durham’s cathedral and castle have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, and its university dates from 1832. Paris brings The Grit Code to the city.
Cathedral, castle, miners and scholars
Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. William I began the castle in 1070.
Durham University, founded in 1832, claims to be the third-oldest university in England and is a major employer, alongside the council, HM Land Registry and the Passport Office.
The coal pits have closed, but the Durham Miners’ Gala, first held in 1871 with 5,000 miners, still fills the city on the second Saturday of July.
Who Paris speaks to in Durham
Durham University
Talks for students, colleges and alumni.
Government offices
Resilience for public-service teams.
NHS North East
Sessions for clinical staff.
County Durham firms
Kick-offs for growing companies.
Where Durham meets
Durham’s dinners and conferences are mostly held in the colleges, the castle and the hotels by the River Wear.
- Durham Castle – now University College, with its Great Hall used for dinners
- Durham Cathedral – used for concerts and graduations
- University venues – conference rooms across the colleges
Keynote, workshop or virtual
Most Durham 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.
Watch the Pacific row film for the story of 39 days at sea. 39 days at sea: the Pacific row film · Keynote speaker Newcastle · Keynote speaker Sunderland
How a booking works
Available for in-person events in Durham, 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.
Durham’s economy and who the talk is for
Durham has a population of about 48,069 (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 Durham 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 Durham
In Durham, the most common bookings fall into a few groups:
- 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.
- In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
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 Durham?
Yes. Paris takes Durham bookings for keynotes, workshops and hosting, live or virtual.
Can Paris speak at a college dinner in Durham?
Yes. He gives after-dinner talks as well as daytime keynotes.
Does Paris speak to civil service teams?
Yes. He adapts The Grit Code for public-sector audiences.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Durham?
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 Durham?
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