Keynotes in the city that built the first tank
Lincoln’s cathedral was once the tallest building in the world, and its engineers built the first tanks. Paris brings The Grit Code to its teams.
Cathedral, castle and heavy engineering
Lincoln Cathedral was the world’s tallest building for more than 200 years. Lincoln Castle was built by the Normans in the 11th century, and the Bishop of Lincoln witnessed Magna Carta in 1215.
Lincoln became a centre of heavy engineering, making locomotives and steam shovels. The first tanks were designed and built here by William Foster & Co.
Siemens bought the Pelham Works in 2003 for its industrial turbine business. The University of Lincoln and Lincoln Bishop University bring thousands of students to the city.
Who Paris speaks to in Lincoln
Turbines and manufacturing
Keynotes for engineering teams.
University of Lincoln
Talks for students and staff.
RAF and defence
Resilience under pressure.
Lincolnshire food and farming
Sessions for a weather-dependent sector.
Event venues
Lincoln’s events are mostly held in the castle, at the university by the Brayford Pool and in the uphill hotels.
- Lincoln Castle – the Norman castle at the top of the hill
- Lincoln Cathedral – used for concerts and civic events
- University of Lincoln – conference rooms by the Brayford Pool
Ways to book Paris in Lincoln
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.
Read how The Grit Code turns endurance into a plan teams can use. The Grit Code keynote · Keynote speaker Nottingham · Keynote speaker Sheffield
Booking for Lincoln
Available for in-person events in Lincoln, 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.
Lincoln’s economy and who the talk is for
Lincoln has a population of about 97,541 (2019 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
How a Grit Code session works
- Paris starts with a short briefing call to understand the room, the sector and the challenge in front of it.
- The keynote uses film from his expeditions and TV work to make each idea concrete.
- Many organisers pair it with a Grit Deconstruction workshop or ask Paris to host the full day.
The content is shaped around Lincoln 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 Lincoln
Organisers in Lincoln usually book Paris for one of these occasions:
- 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.
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
- Past speaking 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.
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 Lincoln organisers
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Lincoln?
Yes. Organisers in Lincoln can book him in person or for a virtual session.
Does Paris speak to engineering and manufacturing teams?
Yes. He talks about pressure, fatigue and persistence through setbacks.
Can Paris speak at a defence or RAF event?
Yes. He has spoken to US Army soldiers in Hawaii and adapts the talk for military audiences.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Lincoln?
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 Lincoln?
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 Lincoln
Send the basics and Paris’s team will reply, or book a call.