Finance hiring rises 13% as fintech roles drive growth, study finds

UK 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.