Latest blog post

The power of breaking taboos: Reducing undiscovered tenant deaths in social housing

There are always subjects that we just do not want to talk about, for example the tragedy of isolated people becoming unwell, incapacitated, and then being left alone for long periods in their homes – it’s just not an easy subject.

Each of us has questions about ourselves, our businesses, or life in general, which we would prefer to remain unasked; those issues which are just too difficult, awkward or painful to discuss.

Broaching these taboos with people is far from easy and, if like me, you have tried, you may well have been told to get stuffed – or worse. This blog is about how breaking taboos can be vital for finding a solution to the toughest problems.

Links to my latest guide preventing Undiscovered Deaths and Improving Customer Contact can also be found in this blog.

Continue Reading
Photo of James Batchelor MBE holding Preventing Undiscovered Deaths & Increasing Customer Contact Guide

View All Blog Posts

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 […]

Read more

When public speaking goes wrong – what I learned (and how to avoid it)
It was going to be very straightforward. In April, I was honoured to be invited to be the after dinner speaker at the […]

Read more

My mission to tackle undiscovered deaths in 2025 and beyond
Do you ever wish all the messages would just stop? How many times in the last hour has your phone demanded your attention […]

Read more

Division may be all the rage – but it’s time for a resurgence of understanding.
Looking at the modern world makes me feel increasingly old fashioned. I am not talking about my clothes or my hair (although the […]

Read more

How to earn more and progress your career (and how as a leader you can help)
‘What was your first job?’ It is a simple question, but one of my favourites. For people of my age and background, our […]

Read more

A dream come true: Planting tens of thousands of trees in the Lake District
A few weeks ago, I spent a blustery day halfway up a mountain in the Lake District talking to some trees. “Good morning, […]

Read more

India – A nation of entrepreneurs: How its people (and its traffic) are laying the foundations of a global powerhouse
India – A nation of entrepreneurs: How its people (and its traffic) are laying the foundations of a global powerhouse I’d like to […]

Read more

A happier new year: How we must use technology to combat loneliness – and all raise our game looking out for others
Let me begin by wishing you all a very happy new year. I truly hope that 2024 brings you some fun, inspiration, interesting […]

Read more

Blowing your trumpet: When are awards really worth winning?
A bit of healthy competition is a good thing in business.  However, like many people, I am definitely guilty of treating industry awards […]

Read more

ChatGPT: How it could change business, society and the world
As a young computer nerd, I developed a brief but exciting relationship with ELIZA. ELIZA was a good listener and we would spend […]

Read more

Reducing carbon and lowering energy costs – could social housing go nuclear? Meet Tom Samson, CEO of Rolls-Royce SMR
Take a second to open your mind and imagine a (not very) distant future. It is the late 2030s. Energy prices continue to […]

Read more

A “love letter” to Dame Esther Rantzen
This is a kind of love letter; a love letter to a woman who has had an incalculable effect on my life and […]

Read more

The powerful link between selling and leadership: How a ‘grizzly bear’ changed my life!
If you speak to the founders of tech companies, you’ll find that many of us of a certain age had a similar experience […]

Read more

Greg Reed: Leading by listening
Without housing associations the country would be in chaos. Of the estimated 24m homes in England, 4.4m of them are owned by the social housing […]

Read more

Harnessing Technology, Leadership and Change to make your business fly
About 20 years ago I got totally addicted to skydiving. Hooked. I couldn’t get enough of it. It was also about this time […]

Read more

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 also the founder of Alertacall – a ‘Queen’s 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.

In 2025 I was honoured to be made MBE by King Charles on behalf of the UK Government for ‘Services to Technology For Older People’.

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!
7
key skills
2
books in progress
12
ventures

"Your invention of the 'I am okay' button has transformed the way we care for and connect with older people"

Rt Hon Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation & Technology - UK Government

"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

Stay in touch by doing 2 things now...

  • Sign up to my newsletter
  • Follow me on LinkedIn