Jessica O'ConnorUK finance sector hiring rebounded in 2025, with professional vacancies rising 13% year on year, according to the latest ‘Year in Review: Finance Labour Market Trends Report’ from Morgan McKinley and Vacancysoft.
The increase came despite ongoing inflationary pressures and wider economic uncertainty, pointing to renewed resilience across the sector.
Growth was driven primarily by continued investment in digital infrastructure, regulatory capability and risk management.
Banking accounted for 61% of all financial vacancies, up 8% on the year, while fintech hiring surged 29%, cementing its position as the fastest-growing segment of the market.
Accountancy vacancies also rose strongly, increasing by 15% over the year.
London remained the engine of financial services hiring, with Greater London recording a 17% rise in vacancies and accounting for 53% of all roles nationwide.
While some regions experienced slower activity or contraction, Scotland and Northern Ireland both posted double-digit growth, indicating selective strength outside the capital.
Accountancy recruitment reflected deeper structural changes within firms. Demand for core accountant roles increased by 14%, while vacancies at executive management level more than doubled, signalling a greater focus on senior oversight in a volatile environment.
IT roles within accountancy climbed 40% and now represent 15% of all vacancies, driven by digitisation and automation initiatives.
By contrast, consultancy and HR hiring declined as firms prioritised operational and transformation-critical roles.
Deloitte and KPMG recorded strong growth in vacancies, while PwC and BDO saw notable declines, highlighting diverging recruitment strategies among large firms.
Victoria Walmsley, managing director at Morgan McKinley, said: “After several years of disruption, the UK financial service jobs market has entered a more selective and disciplined phase.
“While hiring is no longer volume-driven, organisations are investing with greater precision in roles that support productivity, transformation and long-term competitiveness.
“This shift reflects structural change rather than short-term volatility, with employers positioning now for the next growth cycle.”
