According to the latest Morgan McKinley report, financial crime specialists and regulatory experts are currently the most in-demand.
City’s finance job vacancies rose 14% year-on-year in Q2 2025, driven by fintech growth, but hiring levels remain below 2023 peaks.
Financial
services and fintech job openings in London climbed 14% compared to the same
period last year, according to new data from recruitment firm Morgan McKinley,
though hiring levels remain below their 2023 highs.
London Finance Jobs Rise
14% as Fintech Drives Hiring Recovery
The firm's
latest employment monitor found job vacancies rose 3% in the second quarter
compared to the first quarter of 2025. The figures suggest London's finance
sector continues recovering from last year's downturn, but the pace remains
measured.
Fintech
companies are leading the charge, with compliance and risk roles seeing
particularly strong demand. Morgan McKinley projects Greater London will see a
72% jump in fintech hiring throughout 2025, making it the UK's fastest-growing
sector for recruitment.
“The
latest figures from our London Employment Monitor points to a continued rebound
in London's financial services hiring,” said Mark Astbury, director at
Morgan McKinley. “Following a 12% seasonal bounce in Q1, we've seen a
further 3% increase this quarter and a 14% year-on-year uplift.”
Mark Astbury, director at Morgan McKinley
What’s Holding Back a
Stronger Jump?
But Astbury
cautioned that several factors are holding back stronger growth. Global market
volatility, Middle East tensions, and uncertainty around US trade policies have
dampened momentum since the year began with renewed optimism.
The UK
government's decision to raise employer National Insurance contributions has
also weighed on business confidence, according to the recruitment firm. Many
companies remain cautious about expanding their workforce amid ongoing
cost-cutting pressures and economic uncertainty.
Contract Market Cools as
Firms Favor Permanent Staff
While
permanent hiring held steady with a 3% quarterly increase, the contract market
has softened since Easter. Companies are prioritizing stable, full-time teams
over temporary coverage as they focus on long-term efficiency rather than
short-term headcount growth.
“From
what I'm seeing on the ground, interim recruitment has been subdued with firms
prioritising stable, permanent teams in core business areas over short-term
cover,” Astbury said.
Artificial intelligence and automation are
pushing companies to streamline operations and reduce their reliance on
traditional entry-level positions. Investment is increasingly flowing toward
technology upgrades and operational improvements.
Industry Awaits
Chancellor's Speech
The finance
sector is closely watching Chancellor's upcoming Mansion House speech on July
15 for concrete measures that could boost business confidence and hiring
demand. Industry observers expect the speech to focus on economic growth and
the future of the City of London.
Potential
initiatives could include unlocking pension capital for investment in UK
businesses and improving financial services competitiveness, though the
industry wants to see specific, actionable policies rather than broad
ambitions.
“While
these ambitions are welcome, the industry is hoping for clear, actionable
measures that translate into real-world hiring and business confidence,”
Astbury said. “Despite ongoing headwinds, employers that remain agile and
deliberate in their planning will be best placed to adapt, navigate and grow in
this evolving market.”
The data
comes from Morgan McKinley's quarterly London Employment Monitor, which tracks
job vacancy trends across the capital's financial services sector.
Financial
services and fintech job openings in London climbed 14% compared to the same
period last year, according to new data from recruitment firm Morgan McKinley,
though hiring levels remain below their 2023 highs.
London Finance Jobs Rise
14% as Fintech Drives Hiring Recovery
The firm's
latest employment monitor found job vacancies rose 3% in the second quarter
compared to the first quarter of 2025. The figures suggest London's finance
sector continues recovering from last year's downturn, but the pace remains
measured.
Fintech
companies are leading the charge, with compliance and risk roles seeing
particularly strong demand. Morgan McKinley projects Greater London will see a
72% jump in fintech hiring throughout 2025, making it the UK's fastest-growing
sector for recruitment.
“The
latest figures from our London Employment Monitor points to a continued rebound
in London's financial services hiring,” said Mark Astbury, director at
Morgan McKinley. “Following a 12% seasonal bounce in Q1, we've seen a
further 3% increase this quarter and a 14% year-on-year uplift.”
Mark Astbury, director at Morgan McKinley
What’s Holding Back a
Stronger Jump?
But Astbury
cautioned that several factors are holding back stronger growth. Global market
volatility, Middle East tensions, and uncertainty around US trade policies have
dampened momentum since the year began with renewed optimism.
The UK
government's decision to raise employer National Insurance contributions has
also weighed on business confidence, according to the recruitment firm. Many
companies remain cautious about expanding their workforce amid ongoing
cost-cutting pressures and economic uncertainty.
Contract Market Cools as
Firms Favor Permanent Staff
While
permanent hiring held steady with a 3% quarterly increase, the contract market
has softened since Easter. Companies are prioritizing stable, full-time teams
over temporary coverage as they focus on long-term efficiency rather than
short-term headcount growth.
“From
what I'm seeing on the ground, interim recruitment has been subdued with firms
prioritising stable, permanent teams in core business areas over short-term
cover,” Astbury said.
Artificial intelligence and automation are
pushing companies to streamline operations and reduce their reliance on
traditional entry-level positions. Investment is increasingly flowing toward
technology upgrades and operational improvements.
Industry Awaits
Chancellor's Speech
The finance
sector is closely watching Chancellor's upcoming Mansion House speech on July
15 for concrete measures that could boost business confidence and hiring
demand. Industry observers expect the speech to focus on economic growth and
the future of the City of London.
Potential
initiatives could include unlocking pension capital for investment in UK
businesses and improving financial services competitiveness, though the
industry wants to see specific, actionable policies rather than broad
ambitions.
“While
these ambitions are welcome, the industry is hoping for clear, actionable
measures that translate into real-world hiring and business confidence,”
Astbury said. “Despite ongoing headwinds, employers that remain agile and
deliberate in their planning will be best placed to adapt, navigate and grow in
this evolving market.”
The data
comes from Morgan McKinley's quarterly London Employment Monitor, which tracks
job vacancy trends across the capital's financial services sector.
Damian's adventure with financial markets began at the Cracow University of Economics, where he obtained his MA in finance and accounting. Starting from the retail trader perspective, he collaborated with brokerage houses and financial portals in Poland as an independent editor and content manager. His adventure with Finance Magnates began in 2016, where he is working as a business intelligence analyst.
United Fintech Scores Sixth Backer Days After Barclays Deal
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
