Tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch’s passing has left a void in the hearts of those who knew him, with one of his neighbours describing him as a “generous, humble, and full of integrity” individual. The news of his death was confirmed by local authorities on Thursday, after the Bayesian superyacht he was on with his wife and daughter sank in the early hours of Monday.
Ruth Leigh, who lived next door to Mr. Lynch and his wife Angela Bacares in Suffolk for 15 years, shared her memories of the tech tycoon. She described them as “fantastic neighbours” and praised Mr. Lynch for never flaunting his wealth and maintaining a down-to-earth attitude despite his success. “He’d come from a very ordinary background and through his own brains and intellect, he’d made a really great company and come up with some incredible ground-breaking tech. He was always very moral. He gave to charity very generously and never played on his position,” she said.
Ms. Leigh also expressed her shock and sadness over Mr. Lynch’s untimely death, especially coming so soon after his legal battles. She revealed that the purpose of his trip to Italy was to thank his friends and family, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking. “Losing somebody so kind, compassionate, and full of integrity must leave a hole that cannot be filled,” she added.
David Tabizel, Mr. Lynch’s former colleague and co-founder of Autonomy, shared his memories of the “remarkable individual” and “brightest man” he had ever met. He also praised Mr. Lynch for his contributions to the British tech scene and his ability to make the country world-class in the field.
Commenting on his legal struggles, Mr. Tabizel stated that he “never heard him lie or exaggerate” and that Mr. Lynch was always interested in the truth and cutting through the noise. He also paid tribute to his friend and called him a hero.
David Yelland, Mr. Lynch’s former PR adviser and former editor of The Sun newspaper, also paid his respects in a post on social media. He expressed his condolences to Mr. Lynch’s family and described him as a man who was failed by his country and peers when he needed them the most.
The Royal Academy of Engineering, where Mr. Lynch was a former council member, donor, and mentor, also expressed their sadness at his passing. They remembered him as a “fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2008” and praised his contributions in various roles within the organization.
Technology industry group TechUK also paid tribute, calling Mr. Lynch a “hugely significant and pioneering figure in the UK technology sector”. They also extended their sympathies to all the families and friends impacted by the tragic events.
Mr. Lynch’s Autonomy software, based on Bayesian statistical inference, earned him the nickname “British Bill Gates” and revolutionized data analysis. His passing has left a void in the tech world, with many remembering him as a visionary and original thinker with a passion for building businesses.
