Stephen Bates

Senior Business Leader | Strategy, Growth & P&L | Driving Performance & Scaling Organisations

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

About

I am a senior business leader with over 20 years’ experience building, scaling, and leading multidisciplinary organisations. My focus is on driving sustainable business growth through a combination of strong commercial leadership, client engagement, and disciplined delivery. I have led sizeable businesses with full accountability for P&L, performance, and strategy, working closely with clients and leadership teams to position businesses in the market, secure major opportunities, and deliver complex projects. Across both regional and national roles, I have been responsible for improving commercial outcomes, strengthening pipelines, and aligning operations to support growth. This has included leading business transformation, improving profitability, and developing leadership capability within teams. I bring a balanced approach across business, commercial, and operational leadership, with a strong track record of improving performance, building accountable teams, and scaling organisations in a structured and sustainable way. My early career foundation provides deep technical and delivery experience, which continues to support credibility with both clients and internal teams. More recently, my focus has been on aligning strategy, people, and performance to support growth and long-term business outcomes.

Experience

  • Managing Director at Bates Hanson Pty Ltd
    Oct 2017 - Present · 8 yrs 9 mos

    Founded and led a consulting business focused on improving business performance, profitability, and scalability within professional services organisations. Worked closely with senior leaders to drive growth, strengthen commercial outcomes, and align strategy with delivery. Partnered with founders, partners, and executive teams to improve profitability, project performance, and operational efficiency. Lead organisational design, governance frameworks, and transformation initiatives to support scalable growth. Provided coaching and support to senior leaders to strengthen accountability and leadership capability. Supported business alignment across regions, including acquisitions and new service development. A passion for uniting teams, lifting capability and embedding consistent ways of working.

  • Arcadis (Full-time · 9 yrs 2 mos)
    • National Operations Director - Built Environment
      Sep 2014 - Oct 2017 · 3 yrs 2 mos

      Led a national multidisciplinary business across Australia and Manila, with full accountability for P&L, performance, and growth. Responsible for improving commercial outcomes, scaling operations, and aligning delivery with market opportunity. Leading bids and driving client relationship management. Worked closely with leadership and clients to drive growth, strengthen market positioning, and improve business performance. Oversaw delivery across complex, large-scale projects while ensuring strong commercial outcomes. Led business planning, organisational improvement, and transformation initiatives to support scalability and sustained growth.

    • Director / State Lead - Built Environment Victoria
      Oct 2012 - Sep 2014 · 2 yrs

      Led the Victorian business with responsibility for growth, client relationships, and overall performance. Focused on building a sustainable pipeline, strengthening capability, and improving commercial outcomes. Developed and maintained client relationships to support business growth and work winning. Led bids, proposals, and contract negotiations to secure new work. Built and led a high-performing team, improving retention, capability, and overall performance.

    • Associate Director / State Lead - Building Services Victoria
      Sep 2008 - Oct 2012 · 4 yrs 2 mos

      Led a multidisciplinary business unit delivering building services across major projects, while contributing to business development and improving team performance. Responsible for team leadership, project delivery, and supporting pipeline growth through client engagement. Improved performance through stronger accountability, team structure, and delivery outcomes.

  • Medland Engineering (Full-time · 5 yrs 1 mo)
    • Building Services Engineering Manager
      2006 - 2008 · 2 yrs

      Led a multidisciplinary team delivering building services projects, with responsibility for team performance, client relationships, and delivery outcomes. Managed project delivery and contributed to improving business performance through better design standards, team leadership, and client-focused delivery.

    • Electrical Consulting Engineer/Project Manager
      2003 - 2006 · 3 yrs

  • G W Franklin M & E Services Limited (London Area, United Kingdom)
    • Associate Director - Electrical
      1999 - 2003 · 4 yrs

      Electrical design and construction.

    • Electrical Contracts Manager
      1996 - 1999 · 3 yrs

      Electrical estimating and site management.

  • HOW ENGINEERING SERVICES LIMITED (London Area, United Kingdom · On-site)
    • Electrical Engineer
      Jun 1994 - Jul 1996 · 2 yrs 2 mos

      Electrical design and site supervision.

    • Electrician
      Aug 1990 - Jun 1994 · 3 yrs 11 mos

      Electrical installations and commissioning.