The UK’s
fintech sector posted a 29% year-on-year increase in professional job vacancies
during 2025, substantially outperforming the broader financial services market
as companies compete aggressively for scarce technology talent.
The sector
created roughly 16,200 professional positions last year, accounting for 24% of
all finance industry vacancies in the UK, according
to a new report from Morgan McKinley and Vacancysoft. Banking vacancies grew
just 8% to around 41,100 roles, while accountancy firms increased hiring 15% to
approximately 10,000 positions.
For
example, CMC
Markets spent nine months searching for a CFO, ultimately opting for an
internal appointment in November 2025 after an unsuccessful external search.
“The UK professional jobs market in 2025 marked a clear inflection point,” said Victoria Walmsley, Managing Director at Morgan McKinley UK. “Following several years of disruption, rapid change and post-pandemic recalibration, hiring activity moved into a more selective and disciplined phase.”
Technology Hiring
Accelerates Sharply
Software
engineering vacancies climbed 71% to nearly 800 roles in 2025, while product
management IT positions surged 82% to approximately 770 vacancies. Data
analysis roles expanded 60% to around 340 positions, underscoring the sector’s
focus on technical capability over front-office expansion.
Business
development and sales remained the largest single category at close to 1,900
vacancies, up 47% year-on-year. Account management and inside sales roles
reached around 850 vacancies but saw their share of total hiring slip from 6%
to 5%, suggesting a strategic rebalancing toward product-led growth.
UK fintech
hiring was projected to rise 32% earlier in 2025 as compliance and cybersecurity demands
intensified across the industry. Fintech,
compliance, and risk roles emerged as top career paths in London’s finance sector
during Q2 2025, with financial crime specialists and regulatory experts
becoming increasingly sought after.
Compliance
positions held steady at approximately 270 roles despite explosive growth in
other technology functions, raising questions about whether firms are
adequately staffing risk management teams as they scale operations.
Compliance
heads in CFD-heavy Cyprus now earn six-figure salaries, with heads of compliance receiving
up to €120,000 as regulatory demands intensify.
The IT Crowd
IT emerged
as the most in-demand profession across regional markets, exceeding 10,000
vacancies nationwide in 2025 and growing 23% year-on-year.
Retail
trading platforms and fintech companies today are no longer driven mainly by
salespeople, but by engineers and software experts. For example, XTB reported
as early as 2023 that out of more than 1,000 employees, nearly
half were working in IT.
Moreover,
the compensation landscape reflects intensifying competition for specialized
talent. IG Group’s CEO
earned $4.5 million in FY25, though this figure remained below Plus500’s top executives, who each
pocketed $4.97 million as retail trading platforms battle for leadership
expertise.
The
cross-sector technology hiring boom is creating direct competition between
fintechs, banks, and traditional accountancy firms for the same engineering
talent. Dubai’s FX
sales heads now earn twice the pay of Cyprus roles, with compliance head salaries jumping 250% in
Dubai as regional hubs compete for specialized expertise.
This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.
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