Resilience keynotes for the Faithful City
Worcester saw the last battle of the English Civil War, and it still makes the sauce that carries its name. Paris brings The Grit Code to its businesses.
Sauce, porcelain and a civil war
Worcester was nicknamed “the Faithful City” as a Royalist stronghold; the final battle of the Civil War was fought here in 1651.
Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce, first sold in 1837, is still made at the Midland Road factory, its home since 1897. The brand is now part of Kraft Heinz. Royal Worcester porcelain was founded in 1751, and the city once made half of Britain’s gloves.
The cathedral was founded in 680. The composer Edward Elgar grew up in the city, and the University of Worcester has a campus on the site of the old Royal Infirmary.
Who Paris speaks to in Worcester
Food and drink manufacturing
Keynotes for production and leadership teams.
University of Worcester
Talks for students and staff.
Worcestershire services
Resilience for frontline teams.
Professional services
Kick-offs and offsites.
Rooms and stages
The Guildhall, the cathedral and the county cricket ground host many of Worcester’s civic and business events.
- Worcester Cathedral – used for concerts and the Three Choirs Festival
- Worcester Guildhall – Grade I listed, home of the city council
- County cricket ground – beside Worcester Bridge on the Severn
Pick the format
Most Worcester 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.
Paris has spoken for Kraft Heinz, whose Lea & Perrins brand is made in Worcester. Read the recap. Kraft Heinz leadership convention recap · Keynote speaker Birmingham · Keynote speaker Gloucester
On stage or on screen
Available for in-person events in Worcester, 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.
Worcester’s economy and who the talk is for
Worcester has a population of about 101,891 (2018 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Other large venues in Worcester
Beyond the main conference halls, Worcester also has large venues for major events, including University of Worcester Arena.
Paris is comfortable on any stage, from an arena to a boardroom, and can also host the main stage as MC. Event host and MC →
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 Worcester 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 Worcester
These are typical Worcester 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
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
- 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.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Worcester?
Yes. He is available for Worcester conferences, offsites and leadership events, on site or online.
Has Paris worked with food and drink companies?
Yes. He has spoken at a Kraft Heinz leadership convention.
Can Paris speak at a university event in Worcester?
Yes. He speaks to students and staff and adapts the talk for each group.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Worcester?
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 Worcester?
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 Worcester?
Tell us about the room and the date. You can also book a call.