Jonny Hill

Sad to hear Jonny is no longer here. He made me very welcome when I joined Connection in 2003 and always seemed to be smiling. I remember him at one Christmas party with his holster on containing bottles of alcohol to refill peoples glasses, using it like a gun slinger. Much love to his family xxx

My condolences for the loss of such a fabulous young man who I knew from when he was year dot.

Much love to all the Hills who I know will miss him greatly.

Sorry I cannot be with you today in person but I will be there in spirit.

Much love Mike ❤️

So sad to hear the news
Sincere condolences to David , Liz & family
Jonny was fun, cheeky and full of life, and brought joy to all who knew him. Like an acorn carrying his father David’s wisdom, he grew into a strong, vibrant oak. As a family, the Hills are like the mighty oak tree . Deeply rooted, resilient, and standing strong & this will hopefully help at this very sad time.

From Australia, I send love and gratitude — his memory will continue to flourish in all who knew and loved him.
Best wishes
Mick Walsh & Family

Shooting Stars

Last night I saw an Angel on a motorbike
In fact it was a trike - as I looked close I saw 3 wheels - wot delight

It was Jonny , yes Jonny with huge wings , the biggest grin and a small wild beard on his dimpled chin

Soaring high up high , twisting and turning and loop the loops with crazy Jonny “ Whoop da Whoops “ wild calls as he rode

He wore a cloak , had wings as I said the largest golden glimmering things

Up high so high in a star lit sky
Yelling with joy
Like Jonny the childhood wild boy

All around him stars were spontaneous shooting
His face beaming bright
With the hugest cutest grin

It was him shooting stars
Sending to family and kin
Messages of love and hope
Don’t cry from within

Look to the stars at night it’s him
Find the brightest one there
It’s Jonny you know
He’s with you , he’s bright
Shooting wild stars long into the night

And Loving us all from
Morning till night

So sit with the stars that are wild and free
Find a tree at night , rest a while - hold Jonny in your heart - look up and smile

Shooting stars never stop

Unfortunately I only got to meet Jonny after his accident. Even though I’ve heard so many stories about him from his dear mum Lizzie.

I send my sincere condolences to his wife and children. To his dear mum and Dad and his beautiful sisters.

You will be deeply missed Jonny.

On my first visit to Jonny, I asked him if he would mind if I did a Buddhist pray out loud. He nodded his head with acceptance, then to my surprise half way through the pray he started to join in. I will never forget that moment. It was like you had been chanting all your life. 🪷
It gave me a deep understanding of your unique character. 🫶🏼

In the Buddhist view, the bonds that link people are not a matter of this life time alone. And because those who have died in a sense live on within us, our happiness is naturally shared with those who have passed away, So, the most important thing is for those of us who are alive at this moment to live with hope and strive to become happy.
By becoming happy ourselves, we can send invisible “waves” of happiness to those who have passed away, But if we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by sorrow, the deceased will feel this sorrow too, as we are ALWAYS together- inseparable.
🙏🏻 🕊️🪷

May your body be at peace and your spirit live on forever, Jonny.

We met the Hills in Fixby and so have had so many fun memories since then!

It started with us at the age of 2 bombing down Cambourne Drive on our red buses until Jonny decided I didn’t need my seat anymore! Laughing whilst he filled his mums mini with the hosepipe and then crying when he’d had enough of that he decided it would be fun to stick it down my dress! 😂

Sleepovers at Lascelles Hall Road, Jonnys CB Radio, him pushing Becky in the pool!


A couple of holidays abroad with him and Annabelle with Zoe & James. Dressing up as something beginning with S for Sally’s 40th and a couple of NYE ‘s Chez Hill and Chez Cole.

There will only ever be 1 Jonny Hill!

Sacha 🥰

Jonny/snotty so many fond memories of you ! I will never forget you turning up in Greece when we were on a girls holiday ! Always full of fun and cheekiness and your contagious laugh ! Really too many stories to share but I will remember every one of them fondly x
You are free now to pick up where you left off rest easy my very good friend x

Around 1978 or 1979, while I was working for Professor Robert Heritage designing a new range of office chairs for Antocks Lairn, two men walked through the studio door — David and Robert Hill. They had founded Cambourne Fabric a few years earlier, specializing in fabrics for the transport industry, but were now exploring new opportunities in the office furniture market. They wanted to promote their new Main Line product range which had been developed for Contract Furniture. From that collaboration came Articula, launched in 1981 and upholstered in Main Line — a fabric that soon became one of Cambourne’s most successful, known for its bright and versatile colour range.
Over the next two decades, it wasn’t difficult to stay in touch with David as Cambourne grew into one of the contract furniture industry’s leading suppliers. I remember vividly an exhibition in 1993 at the Building Design Centre in London — called SIT. From an upper balcony, a familiar voice rang out: “Roger, stay there, I want to talk to you!” It was David again, urging me to come to Huddersfield to meet his son, Jonny, who was thinking of setting up his own contract furniture business. A few weeks later, I made my first visit to Huddersfield.
We started the day at Cambourne in Mirfield before heading to Leather Connections, Jonny’s retail venture selling leather sofas manufactured in Singapore. The showroom fronted onto Waterloo Road, one of Huddersfield’s main thoroughfares. Above it, Jonny’s mother ran a gym and workout studio, while at the rear, in a small stone shed, the seed of a new contract furniture business was taking shape.
Jonny was just 25 at the time — young, full of energy, and relatively new to the industry. But he had entrepreneurial spirit in his blood. He was bright, funny, ambitious, and utterly infectious to be around. It was impossible not to be caught up in his enthusiasm, and when he asked for my help, it didn’t take long to say yes. Though it felt like a risk — I had only started my own business four years earlier — looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
We had long discussions about what to call the new company. I suggested Connections, as it hinted at future possibilities. Jonny, being passionate about his craft, opted for Connection Seating. Within months, we launched our first products — the CS360 conference and executive chairs, followed soon after by the CS120 office chair — all developed and manufactured in Darwen. The pace was electric. We reacted quickly to market needs and developed products in record time.
Jonny’s drive was boundless, but even he couldn’t do it all alone. In 1996, I introduced him to Kelvin Bromley, who I’d known from his time as Managing Director of Tract. Kelvin joined as Sales Director, and with him on board, Connection Seating began to expand rapidly — and the rest, as they say, is history.
I’ll never forget Jonny’s excitement when the first significant orders came through — first ones and twos, then tens and fifteens — until suddenly Channel 4 ordered over 200 CS120 office chairs. They weren’t our finest designs, perhaps, but they were functional, affordable, and sold brilliantly. The only problem was the tight delivery deadline. But Jonny, ever determined, accepted it anyway. Some of the batch had to be assembled on a truck as it made its way down the M1 to London — something that would horrify Health and Safety today, but it got the chairs delivered on time.
Before long, Connection Seating had its first factory at Almondsbury — an old Victorian textile mill filled with a team of young, enthusiastic, and loyal employees. It was a joy to work with them. Jonny was a natural delegator but remained deeply involved in product development, trusting us completely with new designs. His ambition made him fearless, taking risks that others might shy away from in pursuit of progress.
In the fifteen years we worked together, before his tragic accident, we designed over 50 product ranges — more than three a year. From humble beginnings in that little stone shed in 1994, Connection Seating grew rapidly, eventually moving to larger premises in Fenay Bridge. They were exciting, exhausting, and deeply rewarding times. Through it all, Jonny’s energy and vision held everything together. Our collaboration remains one of the most enjoyable, inspiring, and productive partnerships of my career.

I have known Jonny since he was a baby and I took James ( Cole) my son to play when Liz and David lived in Elslack Before they moved to Camborne Drive !

Our children grew up together often playing and visiting each other’s homes.

Jonny was always a party waiting to happen, always with a twinkle in his eye and mischief in his manner .
With James and Guy Brook they managed to set fire to the old tip near our house at Woodbottom! Chaos !

Many parties and BBQs together. Things were always more exciting when the Hills were around! Many memories of happy times. He always lived life to the full and has been sadly missed .

Dearest Jonny , you are free and wild once more xxx we send you the deepest of peace and love xx fly free beloved

from all your Titterington cousins xxxx

I wish to add my condolences to those of everyone else affected!
Firstly to his Mum, Lizzie, his Dad, David and his two lovely sisters Becky and Sally.
I spent many hours at Pinderfields Hospital sitting with Jonny! I recall one day sitting there for two hours with not a word passing between us.
As I was leaving, I said to Jonny ‘’ Well for everything we’ve said to each other , Jonny, I may just as well have not bothered being here. I know you know who I am so I shall be having words with your Dad telling him of my disappointment at your not speaking ‘’ !
Jonny looked up at me with that lovely smile ,he had ,and said, ‘’ Bye David ‘’!
He will be sorely missed !!

I first met Jonny in early 2005 for a job interview for a job at. Connection Seating. It was at ‘The Woodie (aka my local, The Woodman Inn, Thunderbridge). I turned up wearing my suit, CV in hand and half a coke sat on the table by the door, Jonny walks in and asks if I wanted a pint of Stella - which to be honest I really wanted to accept his offer - but stayed strong and declined. We got on well and within 10 minutes Jonny wanted me to start working at Connection Seating the following Monday.

6 months of working with Jonny and the team at Connection followed and was amazing. His offloading of thoughts and his ideas came thick and fast, before I left for my worldwide travel plans.

Totally unforeseen, I returned from travelling to rejoin Connection 10 months later. Jonny and I had many a strategy meeting at 9am on a Saturday morning with a beer each in hand.

Jonny and I were different, but our styles complemented each others and I learned such much from his eye for design and his intuition. We worked hard, we came through the massive economic challenges of 2007/2008 with nimble fast decision marking with good times thrown in too. Board meetings were direct, but we always went to The 3 Acres for evening dinner.

I recall vividly the telephone call from Annabelle on the day of Jonny’s accident in April 2009. Then the communications between Kelvin and myself about Connection, the short term plans, the external discussions the stakeholders and the updates with staff, they were all emotional, Then the visits to see Jonny in hospital follows with hope and everyone praying for Jonny’s recovery.

Many visits continued, but years later the news came of Jonny’s passing. Devastation hit me, but I soon reflected on so many memories of a friend and leader whom I held massive respect and will never forget.

What a guy…. RIP Jonny x

Such very sad news.
I remember Jonny’s fun outlook and cheeky sense of humour that drew people to him.
We became friends after having a fight (probably over a girl!) at Lepton Middle. It turned into a mud wrestle and by the end of it we started laughing at each other.
We both got an almighty rollocking from Mr Roberts but he was also grinning!
At High school we had different interests but remained friends.
In truth everyone wanted Jonny as a friend. He was just a cool guy with a very mischievous smile.
Much love to the family xx

So sad to hear this news.
I have so many fond memories of Jonny. Not only did he support us in our early days in business by giving us a credit facility, but we also became better friends through our passion for motorcycles. I had the pleasure of spending time with him at many industry functions and racing circuits in the UK and in Spain. As you would imagine, there were plenty of laughs and a little mischief thrown in, stories that I will remember for a long time. He was a legend and one I’m proud to have known.

Some boy snotty was,
Got me in to all kinds of bother at Lepton middle school
Struck up a great friendship
Lost contact after finishing school
But met up at the reunion at king James school
Same old cheeky bugger
Will miss you pal

Had the pleasure of working with Jonathan for 10 years during the very hazy crazy halcyon early years of Connection! The days when we had a Silk Cut in the kitchen. Sort of a cross between a visionary leader and an annoying older ‘brother’. We took the ‘mick’ out of each other mercilessly! Worked hard and played hard (normally all the team in The Star on a Friday Night) On reflection learnt so much from Jonathan about business and life! Thoughts are with Annabelle and the family at this difficult time x sending love x Dawn

Jonny was a true entrepreneur and all round great guy. One of my first and best clients. Always liked a good joke and a straightforward approach to life. You will be sorely missed. R.I.P and condolences to all the family. Hope there are many motorbikes and Charles eames lounge chairs up in heaven and see you on the other side

I first met Jonny, at Lepton Middle School. We became pretty good mates in and out of School.
I have lots of great memories. But the one that always makes me smile
It's 1985 the year of the great teachers strike. If you lived less than 3 miles from school, you had to go home for dinner.
I rode to School quite regular, on my BMX. I would give him a backer all the way home. Flying down fenay lane was the highlight. The bugger would tickle me, or put his hands over my eyes. This wound me up like mad, but he'd just do that Jonny grin. We would have dinner at his house and never go back to school in the afternoon. I guess, that's why i failed my exams 🙃
I ride up fenay lane quite regular and smile to myself.
RIP Snotty

I can’t remember when I first met Jonny- probably when he was seeing my sister, Victoria for a short time when they were at King James’s School together. He struck me as a lovable rogue at the time with a sharp wit and brain. It was only later when I joined his father’s company Camborne Fabrics that I got to know him better. He was probably 17 at the time and looking in which direction he was going to take his life. He was working with the builders in the refurbishment of Hopton Mills and from time to time helped out in the warehouse! He was a cheeky chappy with a good sense of fun but a great work ethic too.
I then watched him with his father’s help set up the Leather Connection business, importing sofas from Camborne client Hwa Tat Lee ( Phua) in Singapore and ultimately establishing Connection Seating and ironically becoming a customer of Camborne. We watched that business grow and grow solely through Jonny’s bravery in doing things the rest of the market hadn’t even thought about. It didn’t take long before Connection was a major player in the UK and eventually moving into export markets too ( a difficult task for a UK manufacturer of office furniture). He helped catapult the likes of Roger Webb and David Fox to success in the market with both Connection and other clients. I’m sure they’re really grateful for his vision and courage.
It was obviously a tragedy when he had his accident 16 years ago not only for his family but for the Connection family and the wider market. He was a breath of fresh air in what at the time was quite a conservative arena.
Fortunately Connection continued and grew and was steered through tough times by Kelvin and the Management such that they could achieve their goals when the business became part of the Flokk family. Ironically my own son is now Northern Area Sales Manager for Flokk, continuing the links our family has had with the Hills for many years and my own wife Liz, who worked at Camborne for 35 years used to babysit for Jonny, Becky and Sally when they were young!!

Jonny was a one off- tragically cut off in his prime but also doing something he loved and lived for.
My condolences to Annabel, James, Nathan and Tamsin.

Sending heartfelt condolences Annabelle….Jonny was the cheekiest lovely boy I ever did babysit for….💙 much love to you, your family, David, Liz, Becky & Sally xxx😘

So sorry to hear of your loss, me and mine send our sympathies, especially as James and Oliver were good friends at school , as Jonathan and I were , in fact our birthdays are a day apart 29 and 30th , you could say we knew each other from the start , our mums shared the same maternity ward and kept in touch afterwards for a while (my mum Susan sends her deepest sympathies to Liz ) . I didn’t know the man , as is sometimes the case we lost touch after school , but I was friends with the boy.I’ve always thought of him and those days with a smile. I can remember first coming across him at Lepton Middle and we went up to King James’s together.As a kid he had a liking of Billy Bragg, The Pogues, Public Image Ltd and The Pistols , so definitely a bit of of a rebel. I can remember at King James’s spying him walking nonchalantly down the busy corridor, kids darting everywhere , carrying a big builders bucket full of water sloshing over the sides causing a definite health and safety issue!, when he got to where I was I enquired “why the bucket snotty ?” , looking down into it I was surprised to see a rainbow trout happily swimming in circles , “it’s a show and tell day” he said , his dad had dug out the stream in his garden creating a pond stocked with fish, anyone else would have brought in a stamp collection etc , not Jonathan !.

Rest in peace Johnny. ❤️
Will never forget your cheeky smile and you
Were always up there for throwing a good party. 🎉 l was carried out on one occasion .!! Details not really for public consumption. 🙈.But we all had some good times together which will never be forgotten
Big hugs to All the family. ❤️

Maybe a theme in parenting style here! Cheers Dad, we wish we could’ve shared a pint with you 🍺
James, Nathan and Tamsin xxx

Turning up randomly at Cleveland Road midweek on his motorbike, promptly falling asleep in front of the fire, then leaving as soon as he woke up!

What a dude! First day back to school xx

Jonny very cheeky from the start and leading with fashion with granny Mary and mum 😂💕xx

The first time Jonny held his neice Poppy who’s now 20. He thought she was soooo small! Look at the cute face of yours James!!

Probably singing Arctic Monkeys 😂

Bike rides and pints