Resilience keynotes for Leeds’ financial, legal and media teams
Leeds is one of the UK’s biggest financial and legal centres outside London, and the national headquarters of Channel 4. The Grit Code is built for its teams.
Yorkshire grit, tested at sea
Leeds has one of the largest financial and legal sectors in the UK outside London, and is home to First Direct and the national headquarters of Channel 4, which opened in the city in 2021.
Paris is a TV presenter whose adventure shows are distributed in 123 countries, which gives him common ground with the city’s growing media and digital sector.
Professional-services firms live on deadlines and client pressure. The keynote gives their people a practical way to stay resilient.
Who Paris speaks to in Leeds
Law firms
Offsites and partner conferences.
Banking
Conferences for financial-services teams.
Broadcast and digital
Talks for production and creative teams.
Healthcare
Resilience sessions for health organisations.
Where Leeds meets
Leeds hosts professional and sector conferences year-round, with venues from the arena to Leeds Dock.
- First Direct Arena – the city-centre arena
- Royal Armouries and hotel venues – including conference spaces at Leeds Dock
Ways to book Paris in Leeds
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 →
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.
See Paris’s adventure TV episodes. Adventure TV shows · The Grit Code keynote
Speaking in Leeds, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Leeds, 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.
Leeds’s economy and who the talk is for
Leeds has a population of about 536,280 (2021 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Businesses with their headquarters in Leeds include Marks & Spencer (retail).
Retail and consumer goods (Marks & Spencer). Consumer-goods and retail teams face constant targets. The Grit Code gives them practical tools for motivation that lasts beyond the conference day.
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 Leeds 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 Leeds
These are typical Leeds 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
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
- 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.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Leeds?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Leeds, in person or virtually.
Is Paris a fit for legal and finance audiences?
Yes. The keynote centres on pressure, deadlines and adapting the plan.
How much notice is typical in Leeds?
UK organisers usually book about three months ahead.
Can Paris run a workshop in Leeds?
Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day.
Which Leeds industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Leeds it suits retail and consumer goods 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 Leeds?
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 Leeds?
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