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The King made me an ‘MBE’ today – and I’m quite chuffed!

So it seems I am now James Batchelor MBE and have been kindly honoured for Services to Technology For Older People as part of The King’s Birthday Honours List 2025.  I’m pretty chuffed about this, and will write something more lengthy about it another time, but in the meantime, some quick thoughts and gratitude.

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MBE Medal

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Hello, I’m James Batchelor MBE
Expert on technology, entrepreneurship and digitisation for the ageing population

My name is James Batchelor and every day I strive to discover new ways to use Technology, Leadership and Change to help organisations grow and also make the world a better place too.

I want everybody to understand this potential. That’s why I work as a mentor for other founders, entrepreneurs and passionate people. And, that’s why I am sharing my own insights and those of other brilliant people with you here.

I make regular speaker appearances, talking about themes including entrepreneurship, being a founder and the use of technology to help older and vulnerable people. I also take part in regular media interviews on these subjects.

In 2004 I invented the “I am OK button” (which we have evolved in to OKEachDay®) and various other processes to improve contact for older and higher needs people. This along with imitations inspired by it, has gone on to protect and improve contact for hundreds of thousands of people all over the UK and beyond.

I am the founder of Alertacall – an award-winning company that helps tens of thousands of people feel safe, connected and informed whilst also combating loneliness and isolation.

I have also worked with a number of charities, including as Trustee of The Silver Line; a British charity helpline for older people founded by Dame Esther Rantzen.

My work and my life has one simple philosophy: Live Well, Give Back.

Contact Me
James Batchelor at Alertacall offices
Watch James talk to trees - and no he hasn't lost his mind!
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"His dedicated support for charities and older people is remarkable and extremely generous, and so is his professional commitment to innovating and developing new ways to improve daily contact for older people all over the country"

Dame Esther Rantzen, Campaigner, Journalist, Presenter

"James is clever, intense and has many interests. It seems to me that when he imagines a project it is already half done!"

Ted Nelson, Inventor of Hypertext, Pioneer of Information Technology

"James has built a great business. One that he and his team can be proud of. Disrupting the market, creating jobs and driving innovation. He has done it from scratch and every day pushes it to new heights. That’s a proper entrepreneur."

Jeremy Middleton CBE, Co-founder HomeServe Plc

"James is a force of nature - a genuine British inventor, who has designed something which has enormous positive social impact"

Sir Norman Lamb, former Minister of State for Care & Support, and former Chair of The Science & Technology Select Committee

"I first met James when I was 18 and thought he was 'bit different' -17 years on and I've come to understand that it's the people who are a bit different that often go the furthest. I've learnt so much from him since then and his support and mentoring has helped me grow my own business and do many great things."

Emma Grunnill, England's Natural Strongest Woman 2024 (U84)

"James has the uncanny ability to see others potential and show them in practical terms how best to level up! His ability to cut through the BS and find the nuggets of gold is unparalleled. If you are growing your business or developing as an individual he should be the first person you contact."

James Brown, Award-Winning Magician & Author

"Meeting James is like getting a shot of neat adrenaline!"

John Sutherland, Author, Newspaper Columnist and Emeritus Lord Northcliffe Professor of Modern English Literature at UCL

"James has an infectious positive energy combined with an extensive network of leaders and entrepreneurs. His adventurous spirit and approach to risk-taking has made him a pioneer, mentor and fabulous story-teller."

Jordan Wylie MBE, Extreme Adventurer, Author & TV Personality

"One of only a handful of people who really understands the motions of growing a company from scratch - a true entrepreneur!"

Sam Etherington, Winner of The James Dyson Award, Founder of Aqua Power Technologies

"James has an immense gift for helping others to turn vague ideas into practical, successful realities, and in the process building the confidence and effectiveness of the people he works with."

Tim Farron, MP, former Liberal Democrat Leader

"James is an inspirational entrepreneur with a genuine passion for people, sharing ideas and empowering others. Anyone who James doesn't know isn't worth knowing!"

Alex Staniforth, Endurance Athlete, Author and Charity Founder

"James inspires me for so many reasons. He is a successful tech entrepreneur, has a strong social conscience, cares about the people he works with and is highly creative. I come away from every discussion with new ways to live well and give back."

Martin Rayner of Lakeland Kitchenware - Award Winning Global Retailer

"James is a great ideas generator, and a real expert at connecting people – he’s been a huge help in establishing my leadership development business. Thank you James."

Neil Jurd OBE, Award Winning Leadership Coach & Author

"James is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. He somehow balances success in business whilst also making vulnerable people's lives better, with networking skills that are in a league of their own. Importantly, he is a lovely fella - kind, generous, and down-to-earth."

Tim Marston, Fire Juggling Pioneer

As a speaker he is fluent and natural, generous and self-deprecating. His experience is wide and he presents a warts-and-all analysis of the life and ups and downs of a serial entrepreneur.

Magnus George, Professor of Entrepreneurship at Lancaster University Management School

"For many years, James has been a good source of business acumen, smart advice, strong encouragement and useful contacts. He has always been generous with his time, his insights and his realistic business guidance based on his own extensive experience."

Ian Rowland, Author, Speaker and member of The Inner Magic Circle

"James has been an invaluable mentor to me in growing my business. He got to the bottom of the issues I was facing and understood them totally, having been there himself. I find talking things through with James very empowering and only wish we were able to talk more!"

Kate Dew, Founder of CraftCourses.com

"James is a terrific mentor. He has energy, integrity, original ideas and enthusiasm. I have been most grateful for his wisdom and thoughtful advice."

Bryher Scudamore, Founder of AutoDotBiography

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