The UK finance sector saw a 13% rise in professional job vacancies in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to a new report from Morgan McKinley and Vacancysoft. The increase, driven by investment in technology, compliance, and digital infrastructure, signals renewed confidence in financial services despite broader economic uncertainty.
The findings show a strategic shift in hiring, with firms focusing less on high volumes and more on targeted recruitment that supports transformation, resilience, and long-term competitiveness.
Overview
The research highlights a more disciplined and selective hiring landscape. Although macroeconomic pressures remain-such as inflation and geopolitical risk-financial employers are increasingly prioritising productivity-enhancing roles.
“After several years of disruption, the UK financial service jobs market has entered a more selective and disciplined phase,” said Victoria Walmsley, Managing Director at Morgan McKinley. “Hiring is no longer volume-driven but focused on roles that underpin transformation.”
London
Greater London played a dominant role in the nationwide upswing, posting a 17% year-on-year increase in financial job postings. The capital’s robust infrastructure, access to global markets, and concentration of major banking and fintech firms made it the driving force behind national growth.
Scotland and Northern Ireland also posted double-digit increases, suggesting a broader regional rebound in financial sector employment, though momentum was more targeted than uniform.
Banking
Banking remained the largest financial sub-sector, accounting for 61% of all finance vacancies, up 8% year-on-year. Within banking, IT management roles surged 42%, while banking operations rose 30%, reflecting the sector’s ongoing push for resilience, transformation, and efficiency.
| Banking Sub-Sector | Growth (%) in 2025 |
|---|---|
| IT Management | +42% |
| Banking Operations | +30% |
| Development & Engineering | +24% |
| Risk & Compliance | – Slight dip |
| Commercial Banking | -10% |
While development and engineering also grew (up 24%), the report noted a 10% drop in commercial banking vacancies, indicating cost controls in client-facing functions.
Fintech
Fintech was the fastest-growing segment, expanding 29% year-on-year. This continued surge highlights the dynamism and scale-up activity in the space, especially for software engineering, product management, and business development roles.
| Fintech Role Type | Growth (%) |
|---|---|
| Software Engineering | +70% |
| Product Management | +70% |
| Business Development | +47% |
The data suggest that fintech companies are aggressively scaling, particularly in areas that drive digital product innovation and market expansion.
Accountancy
The accountancy sector also recorded healthy growth, with vacancies rising 15% overall. Demand for core accountant roles was up 14%, and executive management hiring more than doubled, showing an increasing need for senior oversight and financial strategy in today’s volatile environment.
A key trend was the 40% increase in IT-related accountancy roles, now making up 15% of all vacancies in the sector. This reflects broader digitisation and automation efforts, as finance functions become more tech-driven.
| Accountancy Role Type | Growth (%) |
|---|---|
| Core Accountant Roles | +14% |
| Executive Management | +100%+ |
| IT and Automation Roles | +40% |
Conversely, consultancy and HR roles in finance declined, as firms focused their recruitment budgets on operational and technical hires that deliver direct value.
Hiring Trends
Across all financial sectors, 2025 hiring was shaped by several structural trends:
- Tech-First Transformation: Firms are investing heavily in software, engineering, and automation talent.
- Regulatory Focus: Despite a slight dip in vacancies, risk and compliance remain foundational disciplines.
- Selective Investment: Hiring is more strategic and long-term, rather than reactive to short-term demand.
- Senior-Level Oversight: Growth in executive roles shows a need for leadership during economic uncertainty.
Outlook
The report signals that the UK financial services sector has stabilised following years of disruption and is now preparing for its next growth cycle. With London at the forefront and fintech scaling at pace, the sector appears to be investing in future-ready talent, particularly in tech and governance.
Despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, firms are choosing to invest strategically in talent that supports digital transformation, operational resilience, and competitive advantage.
FAQs
How much did UK finance hiring grow in 2025?
Job vacancies rose 13% year-on-year across financial services.
Which area led the growth?
London saw the highest rise, with a 17% increase in finance jobs.
What roles are in highest demand?
IT, software engineering, and senior finance leadership roles.
Which sector grew the fastest?
Fintech grew 29%, led by tech and product development hiring.
