Ocean-tested keynotes for the UK’s island city
Portsmouth has been the Royal Navy’s home port for centuries. Paris, who rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific, brings The Grit Code to its maritime and defence teams.
Navy town, island city
Portsmouth sits mainly on Portsea Island and is the UK’s only island city.
The Historic Dockyard holds HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship, and the Tudor warship Mary Rose. About ten per cent of the city’s workforce is employed at the naval dockyard, and BAE Systems Surface Ships has its headquarters here.
The Spinnaker Tower, 170 m tall, dominates the harbour at Gunwharf Quays. The University of Portsmouth has about 23,000 students.
Who Paris speaks to in Portsmouth
Navy and defence industry
Keynotes for crews and engineers.
Ferries and ports
Resilience for sea-going teams.
University of Portsmouth
Talks for students and staff.
Heritage and hospitality
Sessions for visitor-facing teams.
Where Portsmouth meets
The Guildhall, the Historic Dockyard and Gunwharf Quays host Portsmouth’s conferences and dinners.
- Portsmouth Guildhall – a concert, wedding and conference venue near the station
- Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – home of HMS Victory and the Mary Rose
- Spinnaker Tower – a 170 m landmark at Gunwharf Quays
Ways to book Paris in Portsmouth
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 Paris’s 39 days at sea. 39 days at sea: the Pacific row film · Keynote speaker Southampton · Keynote speaker Brighton
Speaking in Portsmouth, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Portsmouth, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book UK speakers about three months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
See also keynote speaker in the UK, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Portsmouth’s economy and who the talk is for
Portsmouth has a population of about 248,440 (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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
Organisers in Portsmouth 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
- 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.
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
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.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Portsmouth?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Portsmouth, in person or virtually.
Does Paris speak to naval and defence teams?
Yes. He talks about discipline, small teams and staying calm in rough conditions.
Can Paris speak at the Historic Dockyard?
Yes. He can speak at any Portsmouth venue, or virtually.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Portsmouth?
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 Portsmouth?
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.
Bring grit to your next Portsmouth event
Share your date and audience, or book a call.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact