Resilience keynotes for Exeter
Exeter is Devon’s cathedral city, home to the Met Office and the University of Exeter. Paris brings The Grit Code to its scientists, students and businesses.
Forecasts, rugby and Roman roots
Exeter began as a civilian settlement beside the Roman fort of Isca Dumnoniorum, and its cathedral was founded in the 11th century.
Major employers include the Met Office, the University of Exeter, Devon County Council, the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and South West Water.
The Exeter Chiefs, founded in 1871, have played at Sandy Park since 2006; the stadium is also a conference and banqueting centre.
Who Paris speaks to in Exeter
Weather and climate
Keynotes for teams who live with uncertainty.
University of Exeter
Talks for students and researchers.
NHS Devon
Resilience for clinical staff.
Water and public services
Sessions for operations teams.
Event venues
Sandy Park, the university and the city’s hotels host most of Exeter’s conferences and awards dinners.
- Sandy Park – home of the Exeter Chiefs, with conference and banqueting suites
- Exeter Cathedral – used for concerts and civic events
- University of Exeter – conference facilities on the Streatham campus
Ways to book Paris in Exeter
Options: keynote, 45 to 60 minutes · workshop, 90 minutes up to half a day · virtual session, 30 to 45 minutes · host or MC for your event. 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.
On an ocean row the weather decides almost everything. Watch the Pacific row film. 39 days at sea: the Pacific row film · Keynote speaker Plymouth · Keynote speaker Bristol
Booking for Exeter
Available for in-person events in Exeter, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book UK speakers about three months ahead, so an early enquiry gives the best chance of your preferred date.
See also keynote speaker in the UK, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Exeter’s economy and who the talk is for
Exeter has a population of about 124,180 (2016 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 Exeter 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 Exeter
These are typical Exeter events for The Grit Code:
- 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.
- 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.
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
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 Exeter organisers
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Exeter?
Yes. Organisers in Exeter can book him in person or for a virtual session.
Can Paris speak to a science or climate audience?
Yes. His Pacific row depended on weather windows, and he shapes the talk around uncertainty.
Can the keynote be part of a dinner at Sandy Park?
Yes. Paris gives after-dinner talks as well as daytime keynotes.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Exeter?
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 Exeter?
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 Exeter
Send the basics and Paris’s team will reply, or book a call.