Stephen McCool

Head of Talent Acquisition, Wates

Stephen McCool is an award-winning talent acquisition leader with over 25 years of experience in the recruitment industry, transforming strategies across diverse sectors in the UK and internationally. He has led high-performing teams, developing innovative recruitment and employer branding strategies to attract top talent and deliver impactful solutions.

With a proven track record in optimising high-volume and executive recruitment for complex organisations, Stephen has successfully implemented ATS and CRM systems, enhancing efficiency and significantly reducing costs. A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, he consistently drives initiatives that elevate both the candidate and hiring manager experience.

Throughout his career, Stephen has collaborated with some of the UK’s most recognisable organisations, achieving exceptional results. His leadership has been instrumental in earning multiple industry awards, including HR Excellence and Personnel Today, for the teams and projects he has led.

What’s a professional achievement of yours from 2024 that you are proud of?

A professional achievement I am particularly proud of in 2024 is the progress I’ve made in driving change and transformation within Wates, where the recruitment function had seen little investment or change for several years. Recognising the importance of a strong employer brand, I successfully made the case for creating the role of Employer Brand Manager to lead the discovery and development of our Employee Value Proposition (EVP). This pivotal step is helping us define and articulate what makes Wates a unique and attractive employer.

In addition, I engaged key stakeholders across the business to initiate a review of our recruitment technology stack. This initiative aims to identify and implement enhancements that will modernise our tools, streamline processes, and significantly improve the experience for both candidates and hiring managers. These efforts are already positioning our talent acquisition function as more strategic, innovative, and aligned with the future needs of the business.

How has the RL Community helped you this year?

The RL community has been invaluable to me this year. Through attending summits and engaging with peers on the group hub, I’ve gained valuable cross-sector insights that have helped me measure and validate the direction of the initiatives I’ve been working on. The ability to check in with like-minded professionals has provided fresh perspectives and reinforced strategic decisions.

What is your prediction for the TA industry for 2025?

My prediction for the UK talent acquisition sector in 2025 is that we will embrace AI-driven recruitment further, with a focus on skills-based hiring and the continued growth of the gig economy.