A businessman who called on other ambitious entrepreneurs to empower lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff to be "their true and authentic selves" died just hours after bringing the “LGBTQ+ Oscars” to Liverpool.
Drew Cockton, founder of the North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards, was the owner of luxury fragrance brand Owen Drew. He gained a following after appearing on Dragon's Den in 2021 with the "world's most expensive candle" - a hand-made, 24-carat gold display with "ridiculously expensive oils" - and secured a £50,000 investment from Touker Suleyman.
He was found dead at his Claughton home on Saturday, October 22 last year, just a few hours after holding the second LGBTQ+ Business Awards ceremony at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool. An apparent suicide note was found tucked inside his dressing gown, signed with a love heart.
