The Big Event: Streamed Live line-up
Meet your host, Helen Dolphin

Helen Dolphin, MBE transport and accessibility consultant and Motability Scheme customer for over 20 years will be your host for The Big Event: Streamed Live.
On Friday 19 and Saturday 20 May, you'll be able to join the live stream of all the content listed below, right here!
Helen will be bringing you exclusive interviews with our speakers, live product demos, as well as footage from around The Big Event, all to watch from the comfort of your own home. There will also be a chance to submit your questions during each session.
Extra product information, including brochures and videos, will also be available to view from our exhibitors across the two live days.
Welcome back to The Big Event – Day 2
- Emma CourtneyHead of IT Core Technology, Motability Operations
- Helen DolphinOur host, transport and accessibility consultant
Helen Dolphin will be kicking off day two of The Big Event Live Streaming! Helen will guide you through the days activities, to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
Joining Helen will be Emma Courtney from Motability Operations talking about the change to the Scheme’s insurance provider, from RSA Motability (RSAM) to Direct Line Motability (DLM) taking place in September this year. Helen and Emma will talk about how the transition to DLM will be as seamless as possible for customers, with no change to the level of cover provided or the contact number customers need to call. Emma will also share news of some exciting digital features that will be introduced as part of the transition and answer any questions you may have.
Electric Vehicles – the future for us all
- Jon JenkinsHead of Innovation, Motability Operations
- Catherine MarrisHead of Innovation, Motability, the Charity
This is a unique opportunity to hear from the Heads of Innovation at Motability Operations and Motability, the Charity, who’ll be sharing their innovative work to support the transition to EVs for all disabled people. Discover how they’re harnessing the knowledge and expertise of different partners and local authorities to find new and creative solutions to ensure EVs become accessible for all. Plus find out more about the new national accessibility standard for public charging, ensuring no one gets left behind in the transition to electric.
Let’s talk innovation with Jon, Catherine and Helen
- Jon JenkinsHead of Innovation, Motability Operations
- Catherine MarrisHead of Innovation, Motability, the Charity
- Helen DolphinOur host, transport and accessibility consultant
Helen will be quizzing the Heads of Innovation at Motability Operations and Motability, the Charity, to find out more about what they’re doing to support the transition to EVs for all disabled people. This will be a great opportunity to put your questions to the expert.
British Wheelchair Basketball – Inspiring a generation
- Justine BaynesChief Executive Officer, British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB)
- Lee ManningSenior GB Team Player, British Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced and fast-growing sport that allows non-disabled and disabled people to compete together in its domestic leagues and competitions.
This session offers the chance to meet Lee Manning, who made history at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, winning bronze with Team England in the first ever appearance of wheelchair basketball in a Commonwealth Games. He’ll be sharing the inside story of what it takes to represent your country internationally.
A busy summer lies ahead for the GB Men and Women’s wheelchair basketball teams with both squads travelling to Dubai in June for the 2023 World Championships – where the men’s squad will be looking to defend their World Championship title. Both teams will then head to Rotterdam for the 2023 European Championships. A critical competition that decides the Paralympic qualification for Paris 2024.
In this session Lee and Justine, will share insight into what it takes to prepare the GB Wheelchair Basketball teams for these back-to-back international competition, and the legacy of the squads’ international success on the sport in the UK.
They’ll also talk about the sports ambitions to ensure more people can access the sport, and how the ‘Inspire a generation’ programme is helping more people to play and participate in wheelchair basketball.
We hope you’ll be inspired to give the sport a go at one of the many community clubs across the country or if you’re at the NEC, why not take the opportunity to shoot some hoops at a dedicated basketball zone at the event.
As seen on Dragons’ Den – A life changing piece of equipment
- Matthew WalkerRepresentative, Adapt Ability
- Cristian BrownleeRepresentative, Adapt Ability
You may have seen Matthew and Cristian on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den recently. The people behind Adapt Ability who have helped bring Omeo to the UK. Omeo is the world’s only hands-free mobility device. Steered by the user shifting their bodyweight, Omeo can tackle a wide range of terrains too, from muddy paths to sandy beaches.
Following their successful appearance on Dragons’ Den earlier this year, Matthew and Cristian will be joining us in the new Innovation Zone at The Big Event, and taking to the Speaker Sessions stage to talk all about the future of mobility technology, and his experience with Omeo… and the Dragons.
Electric vehicle myth busting
- Sam WickendenManufacturer Relations Account Manager, Motability Operations
- Connor HendersonUK Key Partners & Accounts Manager, Easee
There are many things to consider before moving to an electric vehicle. Join Sam from Motability Operations Ltd as he shares his knowledge of electric vehicles and things to think about when deciding if an electric vehicle is right for you.
Connor from our new home charging partner Easee will then showcase the features and benefits of their charging unit (included at no extra cost, or customers leasing their first pure battery electric vehicle) – covering everything from installation to customer support.
Let’s chat about online customer accounts with Lucie and Helen
- Lucie HorshamCustomer Experience Manager, Motability Operations
- Helen DolphinOur host, transport and accessibility consultant
Join Helen as she chats to Louise about the Motability Scheme online account, designed to save you time and give you greater freedom and flexibility in managing your lease! So, tune in to discover what the online account can do for you and how easy it is to set up.
Adaptations to help you
- Dale GrovesWAV and Adaptations Account Manager, Motability Operations
Currently around 10% of customers benefit from adaptations to help make driving or travelling easier or more comfortable. But could adaptations transform the driving experience for many more people?
Find out more from Dale, who has worked at Motability Operations for 4 years having previously spent 8 years at RAC. He has many years of experience working within the automotive industry, giving him great insight into the real day-to-day experiences of Scheme customers with their WAV or adaptations.
Let’s talk adaptations with Dale & Helen
- Dale GrovesWAV and Adaptations Account Manager, Motability Operations
- Helen DolphinOur host, transport and accessibility consultant
Join Helen as she chats to Dale Groves about all things adaptations and asks him your questions. Dale will also be sharing a film demonstrating a hoist fitted on an electric vehicle, something lots of customers have asked about.
Euan’s Guide launches biggest ever access survey results
- Antonia Lee-BaptyManaging Director, Euan’s Guide
Join Helen Dolphin as she chats to Antonia from Euan’s Guide, the award-winning disabled access charity, best known for EuansGuide.com, the disabled access review website and the UK’s largest Access Survey. Helen will be asking Antonia about the latest survey results (which over 7000 disabled people took part in), including how the survey highlights the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. They’ll also share how you can take part in this year’s survey, launching in the autumn.
Let’s talk about the London to Paris EV Rally with Harrison Hughes
- Harrison HughesEvent Manager, London Brighton Paris EV Rally
- Helen DolphinOur host, transport and accessibility consultant
Before wrapping up the live streaming join Helen as she chats to Bill Murray about the upcoming London to Paris EV Rally taking place on 1 and 2 July. This is an exciting event which aims to both celebrate the rapid development of electric vehicles and renewable energy whilst raising awareness of accessibility requirement and reducing range anxiety amongst Scheme customers.
Welcome to The Big Event – Day 1
- Helen DolphinOur host, transport and accessibility consultant
- Andrew MillerChief Executive, Motability Operations
Join our host Helen Dolphin as she kicks-off day one of The Big Event Live Streaming! Helen will guide you through the event and help you plan your day, to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
First up Helen is chatting to Andrew Miller, CEO of Motability Operations so we can hear more about the latest news from Motability Operations and the Scheme, and what he’s most excited about seeing at the event.
Let’s talk cars – Interview and tour of cars on display
- James HorneDealer Partner Relationship Manager, Motability Operations
- Helen DolphinOur host, transport and accessibility consultant
Join Helen as she chats to James Horne and shares a film of her and James taking a sneak preview of the cars on display at the NEC. Helen will also put your questions to James on the cars available on the Motability Scheme.
Discover the latest cars news
- James HorneDealer Partner Relationship Manager, Motability Operations
Back by popular demand – this is a session not to be missed – James Horne, who has worked with our network of 4,500 dealer partners for the last 11 years, will talk to you about everything cars and dealers. Discussing the current trends in vehicle supply, what’s new on the Motability Scheme as well as how EVS and new car technology is transforming our driving experiences. James will also share what to consider when visiting a dealership.
Let’s talk electric cars with Sam and Helen
- Sam WickendenManufacturer Relations Account Manager, Motability Operations
- Helen DolphinOur host, transport and accessibility consultant
Join Helen as she chats to Sam about Electric Vehicles and what to think about when considering if one is right for you. Helen will also put your questions to Sam.
Electric vehicle myth busting
- Sam WickendenManufacturer Relations Account Manager, Motability Operations
- Russ MorganDirector of Customer Experience, Ohme
There are many things to consider before moving to an electric vehicle. Join Sam as he shares his knowledge on electric vehicles, dispels a few myths and helps you to decide if electric vehicle is right for you.
Our home charging partner Ohme will then showcase the features and benefits of their charging unit (included at no extra cost, or customers leasing their first pure battery electric vehicle) – covering everything from installation to customer support.
Mark Ormrod – No limits
- Mark OrmrodMBE & former Royal Marine, Invictus Games athlete, author and motivational speaker,
Helen Dolphin will be interviewing Mark to learn more about his inspirational journey from being the UK’s first triple amputee from the Afghanistan conflict to becoming Britain’s most successful ever Invictus Games athlete. She’ll ask about how it felt to win BBC South-West’s Sports Personality of the Year, being awarded an MBE and winning Pride of Britain’s Fundraiser of the Year in 2021. In this session we’ll discover more about Mark’s achievements and what inspires him, as well as what he does when he does decide to relax.
WAV walkaround with Helen and Graham
- Graham LloydWAV and Adaptations Account Manager, Motability Operations
- Helen DolphinOur host, transport and accessibility consultant
Tune in to see Helen and Graham take a walkaround a WAV, looking at the features to consider when deciding which WAV is right for you. Helen will also take the opportunity to put your questions to Graham.
Is a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) right for you?
- Graham LloydWAV and Adaptations Account Manager, Motability Operations
In this session Graham will introduce WAVs, including electric WAVs and an overview of the different solutions available for travelling in your wheelchair. If you’re considering a WAV for the first time, this talk will help you make the right choice for your needs. There’ll be advice on where to get started, things to consider, the importance of research and how to get the most out of your home demonstrations.
Graham Lloyd has worked at Motability Operations for 4 years having previously spent 19 years working in the industry with both WAV and adaptation suppliers, as well as Motability Scheme customers. He has built up extensive knowledge of adaptation and WAV solutions, ensuring our specialised mobility products best meet customer needs.
Let’s chat about grants with Helen and Lisa
- Lisa JonesDirector of Charitable Operations, Motability, the Charity
- Helen DolphinOur host, transport and accessibility consultant
Before wrapping up the first day, join Helen as she chats to Lisa Jones about the Scheme-Related Grants programme and puts your questions to her.
Motability’s grant making: An introduction
- Lisa JonesDirector of Charitable Operations, Motability, the Charity
Lisa will give an overview of Motability, the Charity’s grant making with a focus on the Scheme-Related Grants programme. This includes grants for car and vehicle adaptations, for WAVs, for Complex Driving Solutions and for Bespoke Passenger Solutions. Applications for financial help towards a Scheme vehicle have reached record numbers recently with more grants being awarded than ever before. Lisa will address the challenging context in which the charity is operating and will share strategies that have enabled the charity to continue supporting as many disabled people as possible despite this. She will walk through the charity’s application process and will showcase some of the inspiring cases that have been grant funded.