The recent passing of British tech mogul Mike Lynch, often called the 'British Bill Gates', has sent shockwaves through the business and technology sectors. Tragically, Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, perished in a yacht disaster off the coast of Sicily on 19th August 2023. Yet, as the Lynch family mourns their loss, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has sparked outrage with its decision to press ahead with a £3 billion lawsuit against the deceased entrepreneur's estate, a move branded 'heartless' by business community members.
Tragic Yacht Accident Claims Father and Daughter
In an alternate world, Mike Lynch, aged 59, might have been caring for his Red Poll cattle on his 2,300-acre Suffolk estate, having successfully defended himself against the wire fraud and conspiracy charges brought against him in the United States. The Lynch family had plans to attend the Cliveden Literary Festival, where Mike was due to give a talk on artificial intelligence. Hannah was preparing to embark on her studies at Oxford University's Trinity College to read English Literature.
However, fate had a cruel twist in store. Mike and Hannah were among seven people who lost their lives when their £30 million yacht, Bayesian, was caught in a sudden storm off the coast of Sicily. The yacht capsized, with Mike and Hannah tragically drowning in the incident. Survivors described the event as a "black swan" event, a rare and unpredictable occurrence with significant consequences.
Family in Mourning Amidst Devastating Loss
Mike Lynch's widow, Angela Bacares, and the couple's older daughter, Esme, were devastated. Angela, 57, was rescued along with 14 other passengers who managed to escape onto a lifeboat. Reports detail the traumatic events aboard the vessel, where Angela sustained injuries while trying to climb over shards of glass during the rescue. She is now grappling with survivor's guilt as she faces life without her husband and daughter. Hannah and Mike's bodies were transported back to the UK, where preparations for their funerals are currently underway.
Business Community Outraged by HPE's 'Heartless' Lawsuit
Amid this heartbreak, controversy has erupted over HPE's insistence on pursuing a £3 billion damages claim against Lynch's estate. The claim stems from a long-standing legal dispute between HPE and Lynch over the sale of his software company, Autonomy, to HPE in 2011. HPE alleged that Lynch and his former CFO, Sushovan Hussain, had fraudulently inflated the company's value ahead of the sale. Lynch had long denied these accusations and was fighting them in court at the time of his death.
HPE has made it clear that it intends to continue its legal battle despite Lynch's passing. A spokesperson for the tech giant stated, "It is HPE's intention to follow the proceedings through to their conclusion." This decision has prompted sharp criticism from Lynch's friends and associates, who argue that the company's actions are insensitive and unnecessarily aggressive during such a difficult time.
Patrick Jacob, a close family friend of the Lynches for over 15 years, expressed anger at HPE's approach: "They haven't even been buried yet, and they're circling like vultures. This is not just a legal matter anymore; it's a moral one. The timing and tone of their actions are disgraceful." Jacob further criticised HPE's CEO, claiming that the company's leadership had reverted to "old tactics" by continuing to pursue Lynch's estate.
For now, the Lynch family has chosen not to publicly comment on the lawsuit as they focus on grieving the loss of a beloved husband and father and a young woman whose future was filled with promise.
