Skip to content

Jim Irvine MBE appointed Honorary Life Patron of DEBRA

10th June 2026 (Last updated 10th June 2026)

Portrait of DEBRA UK Trustee Jim Irvine, wearing a pink checkered shirt and a blue pin poses against a light blue background.DEBRA is delighted to have appointed former Chair of Trustees Jim Irvine as an Honorary Life Patron, recognising more than 25 years of dedicated service to the charity and the wider EB community.

The honorary appointment marks the latest chapter in Jim’s longstanding relationship with DEBRA – a relationship that began when he attended a DEBRA golf day and first learned about the devastating impact of EB. Moved by what he heard, Jim made a personal commitment to do whatever he could to help improve quality of life for people living with all forms of EB. That commitment grew into decades of service. Over the years, Jim has held several pivotal roles within DEBRA, serving as Trustee, Treasurer and, most recently, Chair of Trustees.

During his six years as Chair, he helped guide the charity through a period of significant change, including the challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Under Jim’s leadership, DEBRA strengthened its focus on accelerating progress towards effective treatments for EB. The charity’s research strategy evolved to prioritise investment in drug repurposing, helping to drive major advances in understanding the condition and bringing the prospect of treatments closer for the EB community.

Among the most significant milestones during Jim’s time as Chair was DEBRA’s announcement of joint funding for the ART-EB project – the single largest investment yet made anywhere in the world into EB research. His leadership has also helped ensure that people living with EB remain at the heart of the charity’s mission and long-term ambition to stop the pain of EB.

Jim’s contribution to DEBRA was further recognised at the end of 2025 when he was recommended to His Majesty the King for the Honour of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), in recognition of his services to people living with EB over the past quarter of a century.

Now, as Honorary Life Patron, Jim has committed to continue championing DEBRA’s work as a lifelong ambassador for the charity, using his experience and influence to continue raising awareness of EB and supporting the community he has served for so many years.

Everyone at DEBRA extends sincere thanks to Jim for his dedication to the charity and the EB community and is delighted that his years of service have now been recognised with this honorary appointment.