Demand for artificial intelligence, regulatory expertise and advanced data skills pushed vacancies in Britain’s financial sector up 12% year-on-year in 2025, according to a report published on Monday by recruitment firm Morgan McKinley.
The increase came despite a slowdown in hiring during the fourth quarter, as volatility in global markets and uncertainty surrounding the UK government’s November budget made employers more cautious, Morgan McKinley said in its London Employment Monitor, a quarterly survey tracking financial services vacancies.
Roles linked to technology continued to gain prominence. Software and computer services accounted for more than 16% of all vacancies, overtaking traditional areas such as investment management and banking, which each represented about 15% of total roles last year, said Mark Astbury, director at Morgan McKinley.
In contrast, demand fell sharply for some conventional functions. Clerical and administrative roles declined 16%, while broking positions dropped 20% over the year, reflecting the growing impact of AI and automation in reducing the need for staff in these areas.
Astbury said hiring momentum is expected to remain solid into the first quarter of this year, supported by relatively low unemployment of 5% and stable inflation at 3.2%, even as firms continue to balance technology investment with broader economic uncertainty.
