Businessman Drew Cockton asked companies to put steps in place so employees can feel more comfortable just days before he died.
The Wirral-based Dragons Den star's death was announced on Sunday, as his mum Kate confirmed the news in a Facebook post. She said: "We are truly, utterly heartbroken to have to tell you that our beloved Drew Peter George Cockton (my gorgeous boy) died peacefully at home yesterday. We are devastated beyond belief. Life is never, ever going to be the same again. Rest Peacefully darling boy."
Drew, 36, was the owner of candle brand Owen Drew, and triumphed on Dragons' Den last year after scooping a £50,000 investment for his business from "Dragon" Touker Suleyman. He was also an LGBTQ campaigner and on Friday evening held the second North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards, which he founded, at Liverpool's Titanic Hotel.
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Three days ago, Drew posted a quote on Instagram alongside a picture of his smiling face. His words were part of a talk he gave to the Growth Platform, reports the Mirror.
He wrote: "Businesses big and small should be encouraging their staff to feel comfortable about being their true and authentic selves. This has been proven by economists to boost productivity and profitability, so from an economic as well as moral viewpoint there is the impetus to do so.
"Simple things such as taking the time to learn which pronouns your staff members want to use and creating an environment in which they feel comfortable to open up about their lives outside work without fear of judgement is key."
Drew rose to prominence after scooping a huge investment from multimillionaire Mr Suleyman on Dragons' Den. The budding entrepreneur impressed the Dragons after detailing his previous mental health issues, and explaining why these were the driving force behind the creation of his business - and why the concept of wellness was so important to him.
Viewers watched as Drew began by explaining to the Dragons how at the age of 22, he had opened a hotel business on Manchester's Canal Street, quitting his job in financial services "against all the advice of my family" after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
At the time, he said: "I was totally inexperienced. I was working so hard that I actually made myself quite ill and had a breakdown."
Undeterred by what he described as "failure", Drew started his business from the kitchen table of his home six years ago, making and selling candles on social media. The firm now has its own premises in Birkenhead, producing natural soy wax candles, soy wax melts and luxurious room mists, with all the products made entirely by hand.
Then last year Drew created the North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards, with the aim of highlighting the enormous contribution the LGBTQ+ community makes to the North West economy.
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