News & Features

An Interview with Julian Horsler: Equality Diversity and Inclusion Manager at National Highways

Posted in News on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025

In honour of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities we have Interviewed Julian Horsler, the Equality and Diversity Manager at National Highways. Jules plays a vital role in making sure the nation’s motorways and major A-roads are accessible for disabled motorists. 

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m Jules, I was born without legs and use a mixture of prosthetic legs and a wheelchair to get around. I have been working to make services better for disabled people for over 30 years and, having lived with disability all my life, I am passionate about disabled people having the same quality of choice and independence as everyone else in society.

As someone who has travelled extensively across the UK, can you share your favourite road trip or driving experience?

The scenery of the western Highlands in Scotland for me is simply magical. A drive from Glasgow to Oban and Ullapool was an experience I will never forget, the weather was perfect, the midges were hiding and the scenery was stunning. A drive I will never forget.

What previous experiences or roles led you to your current position?

Before working at National Highways I worked in a variety of local authorities, helping disabled people claim the benefits they were entitled to, helping to make services more accessible, give disabled people a voice on the local council and to make the workplace a more inclusive and accessible experience for disabled people.

Then, 6 years ago, I decided to take the leap into a new sector, with National Highways. I have been driving since I was 17, passing my test in my mum’s Mini Clubman, adapted with hand controls. I understand the freedom and independence driving can bring, as well as the anxieties and barriers that can make the experience harder for some. The simple act of filling the car with petrol or wondering where to stop for the call of nature, are things others take for granted but disabled people can’t. Things have improved since the 1980s but we still have a way to go. 

What do you do in your current role, and what does a typical day look like for you?

My role is to help make the roads and services that National Highways look after more accessible and inclusive for disabled people. One of the things I love most about my job is that every day is different. One day I might be running an engagement event with disabled customers to discuss how we can improve the experience of using motorway services. The next day I could be trying to understand the design requirements for vehicle restraint systems (“the crash barriers”) or emergency telephones, and the day after I may be writing a business case to commission a training video for our traffic officers so they understand the different needs of disabled customers.

Could you explain how your knowledge supports your work and supports the wider public?

Whenever we invest public money in the roads, we have a legal duty to make sure we are delivering value for money for the taxpayer. This means we have to fully understand the benefits and costs associated with the road scheme, which might include improved journey times or improved safety, for example.

We know that on average disabled people take fewer journeys than non-disabled people and so they (and the wider economy and society) miss out on the benefits that come from travel, for example when they travel for work, go shopping, or to look after a relative. Can we better understand these benefits to help make the business case for making access improvements to our roads and services?

What long-term improvements would you like to see for disabled people travelling in the UK?

On the roads, I would like for disabled people to be able to travel independently, safely and confidently. That means finding innovative ways of helping disabled people when journeys don’t go to plan because of things like breakdowns, being stuck in long delays or not being able to refuel or recharge their vehicles when they need to. There are no easy answers, but we will keep working with our disabled customers and listening to their feedback to make improvements.

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