Ocean-tested keynotes for Britain’s ocean city
Plymouth sends ships to sea from the largest naval base in Western Europe and studies the ocean in its labs. Paris, who rowed the Pacific, brings The Grit Code to the city.
Where voyages begin
The Pilgrim Fathers sailed from Plymouth in 1620, and Sir Francis Drake was mayor in 1581–82.
HMNB Devonport is the largest operational naval base in Western Europe. The city also has the Marine Biological Association, founded in 1884, and the National Marine Aquarium, with Britain’s deepest aquarium tank.
Three universities are based here, including the University of Plymouth. Paris spent 39 days rowing 4,800 km across the Pacific, so a marine audience will recognise the conditions.
Who Paris speaks to in Plymouth
Naval and defence
Keynotes for crews and support teams.
Ocean research
Talks that connect endurance and conservation.
University of Plymouth
Sessions for students and staff.
Shipping and ferries
Resilience for sea-going teams.
Event venues
Theatre Royal Plymouth, the Pavilions and the waterfront hotels host the city’s conferences and dinners.
- Theatre Royal Plymouth – a 1,300-seat main auditorium
- Plymouth Pavilions – a venue for concerts, sport and comedy
- Waterfront hotels – around the Hoe and Barbican
Ways to book Paris in Plymouth
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.
Watch the film of the Pacific row and see Paris’s other TV shows. 39 days at sea: the Pacific row film · All TV shows · Keynote speaker Bristol
Booking for Plymouth
Available for in-person events in Plymouth, 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.
Plymouth’s economy and who the talk is for
Plymouth has a population of about 267,918 (2016 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Students, graduates and faculty
Plymouth’s universities, including University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marjon University, make it a strong market for student, graduate and alumni events. Paris speaks to young audiences about effort, setbacks and choosing hard goals, and to faculty about building resilient teams.
Typical formats include welcome weeks, graduation events, entrepreneurship programmes and alumni dinners. University keynote speaker →
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 Plymouth 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 Plymouth
In Plymouth, the most common bookings fall into a few groups:
- 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 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.
- 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.
Questions from Plymouth organisers
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Plymouth?
Yes. Organisers in Plymouth can book him in person or for a virtual session.
Does Paris speak to naval and defence audiences?
Yes. He talks about discipline, teamwork and decisions made when exhausted.
Is the Pacific row talk suitable for marine scientists?
Yes. The row raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
Does Paris speak at universities in Plymouth?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marjon University, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Plymouth?
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 Plymouth?
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.
Check a date for Plymouth
Send the basics and Paris’s team will reply, or book a call.