High-flying executive, 30, who ‘was working long hours and under some stress’ killed himself at his offices after opening up about mental health struggles
- Harry McAleer was found dead at the offices of international firm he worked for
- For confidential support call Samaritans on 116123 or visit www.samaritans.org
A high-flying young executive who went missing amid fears for his mental health has been found dead at the offices of the international firm he worked for.
Cambridge University graduate Harry McAleer, 30, was last seen in the early hours of last Thursday morning in central London and was reported missing by his worried family.
Police in Hackney where he lived were also informed and appeals made locally for information but tragically, he was found dead in his 5th floor office of Boston Consulting Group.
The firm, which is based in close to the British museum, has offices around the world and is a management consultancy.
On its website it describes how BCG ‘partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities.’
Harry McAleer, 30, (pictured) has been found dead at the offices of the international firm he worked for
The firm has clients across a wide range of companies from consumer products to media and public sector and employs around 25,000 people in offices around the world.
Under a caption ‘Work and Culture, BCG’s website describes how the London office where Harry worked comprises ‘many nationalities and cultures and represents a variety of academic and commercial backgrounds.’
It adds:’ BCG promotes a culture of collaboration, teamwork, development – and lots of fun ! Our office has a calendar full of bonding events organised by BCGers themselves, including various sports teams and competitions throughout the year.’
According to his Linkedin page, Harry had worked at BCG as a consultant for three years leaving in 2019 before re-joining last year to work as a ‘coach and senior manager’.
His biog said his role was: ‘Helping teams and individuals work more effectively to deliver better, sustainable performance for clients and themselves.’
He had joined the firm originally after graduating with a first in Mechanical Engineering from Cambridge University’s St Clare College.
His profile also described how he was a first aider with Mental Health England and colleagues said he had struggled with his mental health in recent years.
A source at BCG said:’ Everyone here is heartbroken. Choosing to take your life at the office makes a statement however you look at it.
‘He’d been working long hours and had been under some stress and as such he was exposed to all the challenges consultants face every day.
‘Typical hours are like investment banking with hours exceeding 70-80 hours a week and a working day can go on until 10pm.
‘Harry had a number of mental health struggles aggravated by work and last year in November he bravely spoke up about his own personal journey during a discussion at work.
‘He had expressed dismay about the lack of management care about the sustainability and health challenges of the job.’
Harry McAleer (pictured) had joined the firm originally after graduating with a first in Mechanical Engineering from Cambridge University’s St Clare College. His profile also described how he was a first aider with Mental Health England and colleagues said he had struggled with his mental health in recent years
Last year he also fundraised £1,795 through a Movember page and wrote his motivation was to ‘promote dialogue around men’s health and particularly mental health and suicide prevention.
‘They’re difficult subjects to talk about as guys and that shouldn’t be the case!’
Harry was also a governor at his old school, St Olave’s in Orpington, Kent, where he grew up and was school captain there.
He was a chorister there and also played rugby which he continued to play when he went to Cambridge turning out against Oxford in the Under 21 Varsity Match.
It added how in his spare time, Harry enjoyed ‘skiing, cooking and woodwork – and trips to the theatre and opera’ when he could ‘squeeze them in’.
The McAleer family told MailOnline: ‘We are absolutely heartbroken to have lost Harry, a beloved son, brother, grandson, and friend to so many. Harry was very open about his mental health struggles in recent years.
‘We are profoundly grateful for the support that Harry’s friends and colleagues at BCG have provided to him over the last year. BCG could not have done more to support Harry as an employee.
‘We’d like to thank BCG for the continued support that they are providing to our family now. So that we can grieve in peace, we respectfully ask for privacy at this time.’
In a statement to MailOnline, the Metropolitan Police said:’ Officers were called at 07:47hrs on Monday, 24 July to a commercial premises on Charlotte Street, W1.
‘Police and London Ambulance Service had been called to a man found deceased in a private area.
‘The man, a 30-year-old man from the Dalston area, was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin has been informed.
‘The death is currently being treated as unexpected, but not suspicious. The person had been reported missing by his family on Friday, 21 July.
‘A report will be compiled for the Coroner.’
A BCG spokesperson told MailOnline today: ‘We are devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved colleague Harry. Harry will be deeply missed by those who he worked with both initially as a consultant and more recently after returning to BCG for an internal firm role.
‘We worked closely with Harry, his family and medical professionals over the last year to support him and are continuing to offer our support during a time of profound grief. As we come to terms with this loss, we ask for you to respect the privacy of those who knew and loved him.
‘Harry will be in part remembered as a mental health advocate in our office who encouraged others to be as open and transparent as he was.’
- For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details
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