Grit for Wales’s newest city
Wrexham became a city in 2022 and its football club, now owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, became world famous. Paris brings The Grit Code to its businesses.
From heavy industry to high tech
Wrexham was granted city status in 2022 as part of the Platinum Jubilee honours.
Wrexham Industrial Estate is one of the largest in Europe, with more than 340 businesses employing over 10,000 people. The economy has moved from heavy industry to high-tech manufacturing, biotechnology and professional services.
Wrexham A.F.C. plays at the Racecourse Ground. The club was taken over in 2020 by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney with the backing of the supporters’ trust.
Who Paris speaks to in Wrexham
Industrial estate firms
Keynotes for shift teams and managers.
Clubs and community trusts
Talks on comebacks and persistence.
Life sciences
Sessions for research and production teams.
Wrexham University
Talks for students and staff.
Where Wrexham meets
Wrexham’s company days and awards dinners happen at the Racecourse Ground, on the industrial estate and in nearby hotels.
- Racecourse Ground – home of Wrexham A.F.C. and the world’s oldest international football stadium still in use
- Industrial estate venues – meeting rooms for manufacturers
- Country hotels – across north-east Wales
Keynote, workshop or virtual
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 7 marathons in under six days became a framework. The Grit Code keynote · Keynote speaker Liverpool · Keynote speaker Chester
How a booking works
Available for in-person events in Wrexham, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book UK speakers about three months ahead, so an early enquiry gives the best chance of your preferred date.
See also keynote speaker in the UK, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Wrexham’s economy and who the talk is for
Wrexham has a population of about 61,603 (2011 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 Wrexham 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 Wrexham
These are typical Wrexham events for The Grit Code:
- 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
- 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 is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
- 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.
Common questions
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Wrexham?
Yes. Paris takes Wrexham bookings for keynotes, workshops and hosting, live or virtual.
Does Paris speak to manufacturing teams?
Yes. He talks about fatigue, safety and keeping standards up on long shifts.
Can Paris speak at a sports club or community event?
Yes. His stories of setbacks and comebacks suit sporting audiences.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Wrexham?
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 Wrexham?
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.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact