Grit keynotes in the Rhubarb Triangle
Wakefield is a cathedral city on the River Calder, best known for sculpture, rhubarb and a long coal-mining past. Paris brings The Grit Code to its employers.
Sculpture, spires and seams of coal
Wakefield was granted city status in 1888. The spire of its cathedral, at 247 feet, is the tallest in Yorkshire.
The Hepworth Wakefield gallery opened beside the River Calder in 2011, named after Barbara Hepworth, who was born and educated here. The Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the UK’s first sculpture park, is in West Bretton just outside the centre.
Coal mining shaped the district for generations, a story told at the National Coal Mining Museum for England. Today distribution and services are among the main employers.
Who Paris speaks to in Wakefield
Distribution and warehousing
Keynotes for operations teams working around the clock.
Councils and public services
Resilience talks for frontline staff.
Galleries and culture
Storytelling sessions for creative teams.
NHS and care teams
Endurance lessons for long shifts.
Rooms and stages
Wakefield’s galleries, its Victorian theatre and the hotels near the M1 host the district’s dinners, awards and away days.
- The Hepworth Wakefield – a David Chipperfield gallery on the River Calder
- Yorkshire Sculpture Park – 500 acres of parkland and galleries at Bretton Hall
- Theatre Royal Wakefield – a Frank Matcham theatre from 1894
Pick the format
Most Wakefield organisers book the 45–60 minute Grit Code keynote. Teams that want depth add a Grit Deconstruction workshop of 90 minutes to half a day, remote audiences get a 30–45 minute virtual version, and Paris can also host and moderate full-day events. 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 how Paris turned 7 marathons in under six days into a framework. The Grit Code keynote · Keynote speaker Leeds · Keynote speaker Sheffield
On stage or on screen
Available for in-person events in Wakefield, 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.
Wakefield’s economy and who the talk is for
Wakefield has a population of about 99,251 (2011 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Businesses with their headquarters in Wakefield include Team17 (video game industry).
Technology and software (Team17). For software and tech companies, the talk focuses on resilience during constant change, including the shift to AI. As CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company, Paris speaks from inside that change rather than about it.
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 Wakefield 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 Wakefield
These are typical Wakefield 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 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.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Wakefield?
Yes. He is available for Wakefield conferences, offsites and leadership events, on site or online.
Does Paris speak to logistics and warehouse teams?
Yes. He talks about pace, fatigue and staying sharp on long shifts, tailored on a briefing call.
Can the keynote be part of an awards evening?
Yes. Paris can give a shorter after-dinner talk or host the evening.
Which Wakefield industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Wakefield it suits technology and software 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 Wakefield?
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 Wakefield?
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.
Planning an event in Wakefield?
Tell us about the room and the date. You can also book a call.