Connect Yorkshire founder, Nick Butler, has died

Nick Butler, the founder of not-for-profit business support organisation Connect Yorkshire, has died at his home.

He set up Connect Yorkshire in 2002 after retiring from being an Equity Partner at DLA Piper for just over 13 years.

The organisation works to elevate entrepreneurs by providing education, mentorship, collaboration opportunities and introductions to help them access funding.

Nick devoted his time to Connect Yorkshire free of charge to help grow Yorkshire businesses for many years, handing the reins over to current CEO Sophie Conboy in 2018, before retiring in 2023.

Sophie confirmed Nick died last Friday (12 July), adding that he had a huge passion for helping Yorkshire businesses thrive and had successfully recruited many of Yorkshire’s leading entrepreneurs to support his mission.

She said: “He brought a unique blend of passion and experience to create a real sense of community for entrepreneurs to help each other grow their businesses.

“Nick will be hugely missed by our team and many of Yorkshire’s finest business owners and leaves a wonderful legacy in Connect Yorkshire which we intend to keep growing in his honour.

“Nick inspired many people, we will all miss Nick more than any words can express and our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time.

“On a personal level Nick gave me a job in my early 20s  – after one interview and chucked me in at the deep end.

“Nick helped develop me to where I am today, he put all his faith in to me and at times gave me the confidence I needed to know my own strengths.

“We’ve had some very difficult times – running a face to face networking/learning group through Covid and a few other life changing challenges over the last couple of years.

“Nick never gave up, he knew there was always a place for Connect Yorkshire. We will continue to grow a thriving business in honour of Nick and he will always have a very special place in my heart.”