Alertacall’s founder made MBE in King’s Birthday Honours list!

On behalf of the whole Alertacall team, we’re thrilled to share that James Batchelor, inventor of the ‘I am okay’ button and founder of Alertacall, has been made an MBE for ‘Services to Technology For Older People’ in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025!

This is the second time James and Alertacall have received Royal recognition, after Alertacall received The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2022, the most prestigious award available to a British company.

James was nominated for an honour by several people from around the UK who, over the last twenty years, have seen firsthand the huge social benefit of his work, as well as his extensive support for older people’s charities and other community initiatives – where James continues to gives his time, expertise and financial backing.

Via Alertacall, his inventions are now used by tens of thousands of older and vulnerable people living in social and retirement housing, alongside services via the touchscreen that allow them to have greater two-way contact, report repairs or ASB, and participate in surveys.

As part of the nomination, it was highlighted that James also donates his innovations to many people around the country, who otherwise would not have been able to benefit from them.

Nominees also highlighted James’ and Alertacall’s ongoing support for the planting of tens of thousands of trees in the Lake District, as well as his work, over decades, to mentor other socially-focused founders.

James also campaigns tirelessly to reduce loneliness and isolation among older people.

This year alone, he has met with over 40 Chief Executives and other senior leaders at housing associations and local authorities to develop strategies to reduce the number of undiscovered tenant deaths in the UK.

We asked James to tell us how he felt about receiving the MBE:

“I am genuinely thrilled, shocked and surprised to be recognised in this way,” said James.

“I’d like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who made the effort to nominate me and also to my late grandmother Eveline, who first inspired me to use my expertise with technology to help older people. 

“The team at Alertacall improves and saves lives all the time using these inventions, so this honour is also a huge recognition of the work everyone at Alertacall does on behalf of social housing providers all over the UK.”

We’re incredibly proud of you, James!

Congratulations from The Alertacall Team 🎉