Housing tech company Alertacall creates opportunities for continued growth under new ownership

1​5 September 2026

A technology company which helps keep tens of thousands of older people safe, connected and informed all over the UK is planning for continued growth under new ownership.

Alertacall, which employs dozens of people in Warrington and Cumbria, has been acquired by Volaris Group, based in Toronto, Canada - itself part of Constellation Group, one of the world's largest software companies.

Alertacall was founded by Chief Executive James Batchelor MBE in 2004, when he invented the ‘I’m okay button’ for his own staunchly independent, 86-year-old grandmother Eveline.

People now press the OKEachDay^® button each day to let their social housing or retirement living housing provider know everything is OK at their property. If they do not press the button, then contact can be made to see if anything is required.

The service is delivered via a touchscreen device, which is also used for a wide range of two-way communication between housing providers and residents, including repairs reporting and messaging.

Alertacall’s services are now used in 25,000+ homes and by some of the most prominent landlords in the UK. In 2022, the company won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise. James was also made an MBE for ‘Services to Technology for Older People’ last year.

James has been a long-time advocate for harnessing the power of technology to keep older people safe, happy and healthy, with Alertacall attracting high-profile supporters, including TV presenter and campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, as well as former Minister for Care and Support, Sir Norman Lamb.

In 2024, the company marked its 20th anniversary by planting 20,000 trees in the Lake District fells, near Loweswater, in collaboration with Community Interest Company Buy Land Plant Trees.

“After more than 22 years of growing Alertacall, we are all incredibly proud to have built something that delivers such an amazing impact for so many people,” said James.

“Our team can feel proud that they are doing something which helps our customers every day, by keeping them connected and informed, combatting loneliness and isolation, while enabling them to continue living independent lives.

“However, with such huge opportunities to serve even more people, it felt obvious that now was the right time to become part of a bigger and stronger structure.

“This move creates a way for us to thrive for decades to come and opportunities for our team members to grow, which otherwise would have taken many years to realise.

“Having had many dozens of approaches from possible acquirers for Alertacall over the years, we felt this is the long-term home that will help us protect and nourish the very best of who we are.”

Volaris Group has an established track record of buying technology companies and helping them achieve ongoing growth and success.

“Alertacall really is a one-of-a-kind venture,” said Andrew Humphrey, Volaris Group Portfolio Manager for the UK and Ireland.

“It invents socially positive new technologies and the team behind it are some of the most passionate people we've ever come across in business who are genuinely committed to leaving the world a better place.

“It has also grown whilst operating in extremely risk-averse markets. Achieving both these things at the same time takes something really very special. We're all thrilled to be able to support the Alertacall team in the next phase of their journey.”

James Batchelor MBE will remain as Chief Executive until such time that an experienced and passionate successor is found, at which point the intention is that James will continue to support Alertacall to reach its full potential in an expert advisory and ambassadorial role.