Aarti Angelo Fernandes, Associate CIPD, is a seasoned Talent Acquisition Leader with over 18 years of experience across the Middle East. As Head of Talent Acquisition for the region at Serco, she has led large-scale resourcing operations spanning the UAE, KSA, and Iraq, driving transformation through technology, operational excellence, and talent strategy. Aarti has been instrumental in transitioning the Talent Acquisition function to a centralized resourcing model, implementing AI-driven sourcing technology, and enhancing hiring quality and efficiency. Passionate about people, performance, and purpose, she is committed to shaping the future of Talent Acquisition through innovation and inclusivity.
What’s a recent professional achievement of yours that you are proud of?
Aarti spearheaded the implementation of AI-powered recruitment technologies, transforming Serco’s sourcing model and achieving a 26% reduction in time to offer while maintaining a 99% direct hire rate. This initiative not only optimized efficiency and cost but also strengthened quality of hire and positively impacted retention across the business.
What is your prediction for the future of the TA industry?
The future of Talent Acquisition will be defined by the integration of AI, skills intelligence, and workforce agility. TA functions will evolve from being reactive hiring partners to strategic talent architects – leveraging data, automation, and human insights to drive business outcomes. The focus will increasingly shift toward internal mobility, skills-based hiring, and building adaptable, future-ready workforces.
What projects are you planning on working on in 2026?
In 2026, Aarti’s focus will be on fully embedding Phenom across the Talent Acquisition function to drive adoption, data-led insights, and tangible business value. Her goal is to achieve full benefits realisation from the platform, enabling smarter workforce planning, stronger candidate engagement, and improved hiring outcomes. Within a revised team structure and tighter budget parameters, she aims to position TA as a strategic enabler that supports Serco in winning good business by delivering efficient, high-quality, and scalable talent solutions.