New figures from CityAM show a rapid increase in hiring centred around the global financial powerhouse

London is at the centre of a rapid increase in UK fintech recruitment, new figures show. 

According to data shared with City A.M, fintech is the top performing category within the country’s financial services industry when it comes to job vacancies in 2024, as investor confidence rises after a dip in recent years.

A report by recruiter Morgan McKinley and data firm Vacancysoft estimates that, if the trend continues, the number of vacancies in the market will be 37% higher in 2024 than 12 months ago.

London leads the way for openings overall, with a 61% year-on-year jump between January and April. IT makes up the single largest area of recruitment at 41%. Two-thirds (67%) of those were based in the capital.

The focus on leveraging first-class innovation to supercharge both business and economic growth is underlined in the fact that the market saw a 41% increase in technology-focused roles, largely across development specialisms. Meanwhile, London has also seen an 87% rise in risk and compliance posts, as the banks and financial services organisations grapple with the evolving nature of compliance obligations.

These figures come as the fintech sector looks set for a funding rebound this year. Fuelled by investment across key players, it once again claimed the top spot for UK start-up investment after raising $1.4bn (£1.1bn) in Q1 2024.

Victoria Walmsley, managing director at report co-author Morgan McKinley, said: “As we navigate through 2024, the fintech sector is experiencing dynamic shifts in recruitment, driven by technological advancements, regulatory changes and evolving consumer behaviours. The continuous push towards digital banking and heightened cybersecurity threats are key drivers of these trends. The fintech sector is poised for sustained growth, with opportunities for remote and internationally diverse talent.”

Wayne Johnson, chief executive officer and co-founder, Encompass Corporation, commented: “These figures emphasise the importance of building on the talent pipeline within fintech – and the technology industry overall – in the UK, as individuals from across disciplines have a critical part to play in delivering the innovation that is increasingly in demand.

“Having had to contend with a challenging economic backdrop in recent years, it remains important to build investor confidence in fintech, given the necessity of its innovative solutions, and at a time when the technology behind these is evolving rapidly. We must continue to drive game-changing efficiencies for banks, with automation technology, for example, dramatically improving processes and output.

“Especially when considering key issues such as driving business growth and fighting financial crime, the latest in technology has a central role to play. With Corporate Digital Identity (CDI), for example, delivering ready-made customer profiles, institutions can boost customer experience and business opportunities by offering consistent compliance and risk mitigation. As innovation remains the top of the agenda for many, the industry – through talent, solutions and future potential – must continue to be viewed as ripe for investment in order to support digital transformation and power solution development, which can significantly impact the UK economy.”

Indeed it’s something Encompass are familiar with themselves, having recently appointed Stuart Barnard as chief commercial officer.

Image: Encompass Corporation

Robert Welbourn
Robert Welbourn is an experienced financial writer. He has worked for a number of high street banks and trading platforms. He's also a published author and freelance writer and editor.