Speaker Sessions line-up
Live on stage at The NEC, Birmingham
We're excited to announce our speaker schedule for 2024 which aims to bring fresh news, insights, and real-life stories from Motability Scheme customers to everyone attending the NEC Birmingham. Our 2024 speaker line up will do just that.
We have great selection of talks lined up over the two days, here's some of our special guests.....
You can find the full line-up below.
Talk: The Car Revolution – How innovation and technology are transforming the way we move
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Matt LizzimoreDrive Editor, Lifestyle
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Steve HuntingfordEditor, WhatCar?
What Car? Editor Steve Huntingford and Lifestyle Drive Editor Matt Lizzimore take to the stage to talk about the exciting world of automotive innovation. They’ll discuss the latest car technologies that are making a difference now, and offer some insight into what we’ll see in the near future.
‘Blind Not Broken’
Join Lucy as she shares her journey from sight loss to becoming a thriving business woman told in her debut book ‘Blind Not Broken’.
Losing her full eye sight at 17 and with no one to look up to inspired Lucy to make it her mission to share her experiences with the world. Through her open commentary on life Lucy has amassed an incredible 1.8M followers on TikTok and over 350 million views on YouTube and has gone on to become a blind broadcaster, journalist, content creator, disability influencer and a Motability Scheme customer and is an absolute force to be reckoned with.
She’ll share her many different experiences from becoming the first-ever blind presenter to host on BBC Radio 1 to winning an RTS Award for her BBC documentary ‘How Does A Blind Girl Go On Safari?’ and being the first female blind talent to walk the red carpet at the BRIT Awards .
Lucy has also partnered with more of the world’s leading brands including Google, Estée Lauder, Spotify & L’oreal and has positioned herself as a leading voice for disability inclusion.
Talk: Supporting the move to electric vehicles (EV’s) for wheelchair users
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Michelle VellacottCustomer Support Director, Motability Operations
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David FairbairnManaging Director, CALLUM Designs
Join Michelle and David as they share the work Motability Operations, the organisation that delivers the Motability Scheme to disabled people across the UK and design and engineering house CALLUM are doing to make the transition to electric vehicles simple for users of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs).
Motability Scheme WAV customers have told us what they want from an EV, so in collaboration Motability Operations and Callum have developed a concept solution that addresses the challenges around EV conversion and wheelchair accessibility through thoughtful and inclusive design. They’ll unveil the designs for eVITA, a next-generation electric wheelchair accessible vehicle (eWAV) and share the exciting next steps.
Talk: Fully charged – At home and on the road
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Ed CurwenInnovation Manager, Motability Operations
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Russ MorganCommercial Innovations Director, Ohme
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Dan MclarenUK EV Education Lead, bp pulse
Do you want to learn about charging an electric vehicle (EV) at home and on the road? Join us for an exciting talk where we’ll explore all things EV charging. You’ll discover more about charging at home with Ohme, bp pulse’s network of public chargepoints across the UK, and how Motability Go Charge can make finding and paying for public charging across the UK easier. All available when you lease an EV on the Motability Scheme! Do not miss this opportunity to hear from experts, ask questions, and get inspired by the future of charging.
Steve Brown – BBC TV Presenter, Paralympian and Scheme customer
If you love Escape to the country or watch Countryfile this is a great opportunity for you to hear from TV presenter and Paralympian Steve Brown. Steve will reveal his deeply personal story and share his own journey from suffering a spinal injury to being a Paralympian to emerging as a TV presenter with a national profile. He’ll share glimpses from his work on TV and his experience as a Motability Scheme customer….. they’ll be plenty of time for questions too.
Talk: Adaptations – Unlocking your everyday freedom
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James HorneHead of Accessible Vehicles, Motability Operations
Do you want to learn more about how car adaptations can help you or someone you know drive safely and comfortably? If so, you are invited to listen to Motability Operations adaptation expert James for an informative and inspiring talk covering;
- Adaptations available on the Scheme to help you get in and out of a car, to drive and store things, such as rooftop stowage and car boot hoists.
- Adaptation innovation and new solutions, features and technologies
- The challenges as vehicles get more cyber security and what we’re doing to help to ensure the security and privacy of car adaptations.
This talk is a great opportunity to discover more about the world of adaptations and have your questions answered.
Talk: Exploring the fast paced world of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
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James HorneHead of Accessible Vehicles, Motability Operations
Are you interested in learning more about wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) and how they can improve your mobility and independence?
Motability Operations WAV expert James will cover the latest trends and developments in the WAV market. He’ll share the exciting new models that have been launched and are coming soon. You will also find out about the new electric WAVs that are available and what’s coming in the future. Finally, you will learn how to find the best nearly new WAVs that are immediately available. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions, and get inspired by the possibilities of WAVs.
Talk: It’s all about cars and the car industry
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Sam WickendenManufacturer Relations Manager, Motability Operations
Don’t miss this highly popular speaker session – Sam Wickenden, who has worked with car manufacturers for the past 7 years in his role at Motability Operations, will share his insights on all things cars and the car industry. He will cover the current trends in vehicle availability, the latest updates on the Motability Scheme, the evolution of EVs and the overall state of the car sector.
Human Beauty: Accessible Beauty for All
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Millie, the visionary Founder & CEO of Human Beauty, and our esteemed host, Helen Dolphin.
Together, they’ll delve into the heart of beauty, accessibility, and empowerment. They’ll discuss the creation of Human Beauty, its impact on the industry and its exciting future.
Don’t miss the live makeup demonstration showcasing fantastic products that champion accessible design. Let’s celebrate the transformative power of makeup and its ability to boost self-esteem!
Talk: EV myth busting… the simple facts
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James BirdEV Section Manager, Nissan Motor GB
Do you have doubts or questions about electric vehicles (EVs)? If so, join us for an enlightening and entertaining talk where James will bust some of the most popular EV myths. You will learn about the real facts and figures of EVs, such as their range, cost, performance, and environmental impact. You will also discover the latest innovations and developments in the EV industry, such as new models. This talk is a great opportunity to learn more about EV’s and get your questions answered.
Will Bayley, Darren Harris and Mark Ormrod live interview
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Will Bayley MBE PLYWorld No. 1 table tennis Paralympic champion and former Strictly contestant, Motability Scheme Ambassador and customer
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Darren Harris PLYParalympian, coach and public speaker, Motability Scheme Ambassador and customer
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Mark Ormrod MBEFormer Royal Marine, Invictus Games athlete and author, Motability Scheme Ambassador and customer
Join our host former Royal Marine Mark Ormrod as he chats to Will Bayley and Darren Harris about their unique life stories, personal struggles and what keeps them motivated.
Will Bayley is the world number one Paralympic table tennis player, former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, single father and Scheme customer. Born with arthrogryposis and a cancer survivor, Will discovered table tennis as a child and went on to win medals across three Paralympics.
Darren Harris, Paralympian, Scheme customer and founder of Unblind Your Mind, Darren has earned numerous accolades on and off the sports field, not despite, but because of his blindness, including becoming England’s most capped blind footballer and Amazon bestselling author of Transforming Your Life.
They’ll be plenty of time for you to put your questions to this lively and inspirational trio too!
Talk: Fully charged – At home and on the road
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Ed CurwenInnovation Manager, Motability Operations
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Russ MorganCommercial Innovations Director, Ohme
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Dan MclarenUK EV Education Lead, bp pulse
Do you want to learn about charging an electric vehicle (EV) at home and on the road? Join us for an exciting talk where we’ll explore all things EV charging. You’ll discover more about charging at home with Ohme, bp pulse’s network of public chargepoints across the UK, and how Motability Go Charge can make finding and paying for public charging across the UK easier. All available when you lease an EV on the Motability Scheme! Do not miss this opportunity to hear from experts, ask questions, and get inspired by the future of charging.
Talk: Exploring the fast paced world of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
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James HorneHead of Accessible Vehicles, Motability Operations
Are you interested in learning more about wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) and how they can improve your mobility and independence?
Motability Operations WAV expert James will cover the latest trends and developments in the WAV market. He’ll share the exciting new models that have been launched and are coming soon. You will also find out about the new electric WAVs that are available and what’s coming in the future. Finally, you will learn how to find the best nearly new WAVs that are immediately available. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions, and get inspired by the possibilities of WAVs.
Talk: CHANGING MOTORSPORT. CHANGING LIVES.
Take a pit-stop here and discover more about Team BRIT, the world’s only competitive team of all-disabled racing drivers.
Commercial Director Mike Scudamore will share how their new partnership with the Motability Scheme is supporting their mission to provide a level playing field for disabled racing drivers. He’ll explain how the cars are adpated for the race track, showcase the racing team and share the race schedule for 2024 . The team’s ultimate goal is to take an all-disabled team to race in the epic endurance race, the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Team BRIT are proud to be opening the door to motorsport for disabled drivers and Mike will share more about the Team BRIT recommended ‘route to racing’ for any disabled drivers eager to get started in the sport.