The High Court in London has delivered a blow to the legacy of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch. It has ordered his estate—and that of former Autonomy finance chief Sushovan Hussain—to pay around £740 million to Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). This sum, stemming from allegations of fraudulent accounting in HPE’s 2011 acquisition of Lynch’s firm Autonomy, considerably exceeds the estate’s estimated value, and could trigger insolvency.
Judge Robert Hildyard, referencing his 2022 ruling that Autonomy’s financial health had been misrepresented, determined that HPE lost £646 million due to overpayment, plus an additional £51.7 million tied to deceit. While HPE initially sought $4.55 billion (£3.37 billion), the judge described that figure as “substantially exaggerated,” noting the smaller award still reflects serious miscalculations The Times.
With Lynch’s estate valued at just under £500 million, this verdict places it on the brink of bankruptcy—potentially wiping out any inheritance for his widow, Angela Bacares, and their surviving daughter, Esme. The family has indicated they are exploring an appeal, pointing to alleged limitations in the use of hearsay evidence during the trial.
Bayesian tragedy still under investigation
Compounding the estate’s legal and financial woes, Mike Lynch and his 18‑year‑old daughter Hannah died when their 56‑metre superyacht, Bayesian, capsized off Sicily’s coast on 19 August 2024, hit by sudden hurricane‑force winds—reported to have reached around 81 mph—which overturned the yacht in mere seconds. Seven lives were lost in total; fifteen were rescued, including Lynch’s wife Angela Bacares Wikipedia.
According to an MAIB preliminary report, the storm exploited vulnerabilities in the yacht’s design, specifically its exaggerated mast height and low-lying openings—factors not outlined in its operational safety documentation.
Settlement pressure builds on Lynch’s widow
Meanwhile, Angela Bacares—owner of the yacht via her UK-registered company, Revtom Ltd—is confronting potential lawsuits not only from HPE but also from the families of crew members who perished. One notable example is the claim reportedly prepared by the estate of their cook, Recaldo Thomas The Wall Street Journal. The Bayesian wreck has now been lifted from the seabed and is under examination by Italian and British authorities, which could prompt further legal actions related to design flaws or negligence.
What this means
| Impact Area | Implication |
|---|---|
| Estate solvency | Likely liquidation if an appeal fails—possibly leaving nothing for Lynch’s heirs |
| Legal exposure | Bacares faces financial and reputational risk amid ongoing maritime claims |
| HPE closure | The ruling brings HPE closer to a final resolution—April’s hearing will address interest and appeal timing |
