In Memoriam: Stephen McBride

Our brilliant friend, co-founder, and leader, Steve McBride, passed away on 25th October 2024. 

No words could ever do Steve justice. That said, we want to share what he meant to us at Discover International, and how his strength of leadership and values continue to guide and inspire our company today and always.

Steve was a remarkable person who lived life to the full. He was brilliant, funny, smart, generous, and kind. He had the best stories and delivered them with the driest of wit. He was worldly and wise, empathetic and forgiving, positive and principled. An often over-used cliché in business is “his door is always open”, but in Steve’s case it genuinely was. To us, he was a trusted friend, confidante, mentor, and leader. Above all, he was a loving husband and father who adored his wife Laura, and his three beautiful girls, Isla, Ava, and Sophia. 

Despite his achievements, Steve was a humble guy. He had no ego, never sought attention, never courted industry recognition or professional-network praise. He simply focused on doing excellent work, quietly going about his business and letting his results do the talking. 

Steve was fiercely passionate about Discover. An exceptional recruiter, an inspirational recruitment leader, and a sharp businessman, he was driven by a mission to build the most outstanding life sciences recruitment company that he - and we - possibly could. 

Steve was destined for the industry. Steve’s father, Patrick, was a successful recruitment entrepreneur with his own company Kingsland, and Steve took enormous pride in what his father had achieved. After leaving school, Steve went straight into the industry, and by his early twenties he had already launched his own property recruitment firm. During the 2008 property crisis he decided to sell that first firm and embark on new experiences in the industry to further his knowledge. The resilience, drive, and experience he gained from his first company helped shape the leader he later became. Those qualities ultimately carried him into the global life sciences sector, where he co-founded Discover International. 

Over the years, Steve worked with clients across the globe and became an expert in the full spectrum of recruitment solutions, international compliance, business leadership, and every facet of the recruitment industry. He cared deeply about standards, quality, and reputation, about doing great work and continually raising the bar. His drive, integrity and focus were instrumental in taking Discover from strength to strength.   

Steve brought together a brilliant group of people at Discover. He cared about them deeply and wanted the best for them. He nurtured them and was loyal to them, and they are loyal to him in return. His motivation, passion, knowledge, and decency were, and will remain, a driving force in creating the winning culture we have at Discover. 

One of Steve’s favorite motivational stories was Sir Alex Ferguson’s “geese” analogy, a story Steve often shared in company meetings. As Steve would explain, Sir Alex would pause training to point out geese flying in formation, describing how teamwork, deep motivation, mutual support, and rotating leadership are critical to success: how each goose takes a turn at the front, how the others support any bird that falls behind, and how they all reach their destination together. For Steve, it captured everything he believed about teamwork, purpose, and what it takes to achieve something extraordinary. 

Last year, a few days after Steve’s passing, Adam went to Hobie beach in Miami at sunset to reflect and think about Steve. Right on cue, just as the sun was setting, a flock of geese flew overhead on their long journey - a reminder of everything Steve stood for. 

At Discover, we are more motivated than ever to honor Steve’s legacy. We will continue to build the company he believed in, guided by the culture, values, and vision he helped shape. 

Steve inspired us in life, and he inspires us in death.  

We miss you, Steve. 

Remembering Steve

Upon Steve’s passing, we received an outpouring of tributes from industry colleagues, friends, and peers around the world. Their words reflect the impact Steve had on people and the difference he made in so many lives. 

A handful of these messages are shared below, offering more insight into the remarkable man Steve was: 

This news truly breaks my heart. Having had the honour of being part of Discover International when it was truly a start-up, just the four of us, I can say that every word in this eulogy about Steve is resoundingly true. I can't believe I won't have the pleasure of having a good laugh with you and the old gang, listening to one more of Steve's stories, which he delivered with his characteristically dry wit that made him loved by everyone. 

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Steve was one of a kind. He always gave his all, he always dreamed, and he always inspired - not as a company guy but as a people's person. I count myself lucky to have worked with such a leader who showed me how to set my eyes on the highest heights and not be afraid to dare. 

I still remember our business trips to Amsterdam, so many great stories! Our casual Friday drinks on the rooftop of our first office, overseeing St. Paul's Cathedral (before the seagull took over and made it impossible to go back!). I count myself lucky to have worked with such a great person and unlucky to feel such pain and a great void knowing I won't be able to see him again. 

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We will miss you always Steve.  

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Words can’t express how saddened I am to hear this news 

Steve’s support and guidance during the formative years of my career will forever be with me. 

Thank you so much for everything that you did for me — you’ve left a lasting impact that can never be forgotten. Thinking of you and your family.

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This is truly devastating news. My heart really goes out to you, the Discover family, and his family and loved ones. Steve was one of the greatest and kindest managers I've ever had, and the impact he's had on me and my family with his kindness and generosity is incredible. He will never be forgotten.

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Absolutely devastated to hear this. What a privilege it was to work with such a great human, a truly humble and generous man, and a fantastic leader. As a 21-year-old fresh out of uni in my first job, Steve, along with you Adam and Terry, took me under your wings and looked after me. I will never forget his kindness, banter, and the business and life lessons he taught me. His dry wit and one-liners were hilarious and he would have us all in stitches. 

It’s a testament to the impact Steve left on me that we still kept in touch all these years later, and I’m so gutted we didn’t get that last beer together when we were randomly in Barbados at the same time.  

My thoughts and condolences to his family and to the whole Discover family. I’m thinking of you all at this awful time. 

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Steve was a truly great leader, but more than that he was a truly great person. He was selfless with his time, wisdom and humour when helping me navigate some challenging times, even after I’d stopped reporting to him. This one will take a while to sink in. What a tragedy. 

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I have known Steve for a decade and worked very closely with him on the Discover Board over the last 4 years. He was an outstanding businessman at the peak of his career - such a tragic loss of life for such a young consummate professional who was a true leader whilst always being fun, a caring family man and at all times humble. 

My sincere condolences to all of his family and all the people at Discover and the many people who knew him. RIP Steve. 

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I absolutely loved hanging out with Steve. He was a big influence on me professionally and personally, and I’d always hoped we might get the chance to work together again in the future. 

I will always treasure the memories of our amazing work trips down here to Perth & NZ where we had the best times.

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This is absolutely heartbreaking. I’m so, so sorry to hear this news. 

I have so many fond memories from our Hydrogen days, and from speaking to you both over the years at Discover. His high standards, his passion to be the best, and his drive to build the best will always stand out. 

Sending you and his family lots of love. Thinking of you all x 

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A true leader, inspiration, and role model. I am so lucky to have had the chance to learn from Steve, not only as a recruiter but as a person. 

Steve gave me advice and lessons that I will hold close to my heart for the rest of my life.