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.
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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.
