UK fintech hiring to surge 32% in 2025 amid compliance demand

UK fintech sector hiring is forecast to increase by 32% in 2025 as firms boost compliance and cybersecurity capacity, according to research from Morgan McKinley and Vacancysoft.

The report indicates that despite ongoing economic challenges, including subdued venture funding and lingering market volatility, fintech companies are advancing with strategic recruitment plans. While early-stage ventures continue to experience lower investment activity, employers are focusing on product expansion, operational growth, and the progression from start-up to post-revenue phases, with regulatory shifts and cyber-related reforms acting as catalysts for hiring.

Professional roles in risk and compliance are expected to rise by 29% in the coming year, marking the third consecutive year of growth for these functions. Notably, demand for financial crime specialists is projected to increase by 50%, with roles focused on fraud expected to double. These increases are attributed to heightened regulatory scrutiny and growing operational complexity, particularly for firms that operate across borders.

As regulatory expectations transition from basic standards to proactive governance, fintech companies are seeking experienced professionals to strengthen internal control systems and prepare for future authorisation or licensing needs. Firms are directing resources towards expertise that will help support this shift, indicating a broader trend towards more robust risk management practices across the sector.

In technology, hiring is set to expand by 39%, with the greatest demand in engineering, IT management, development, and cybersecurity roles. The report notes that London remains at the forefront of this growth, partly due to the proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. Upgrades to legacy systems and efforts to meet rising compliance standards are driving the need for skills in system resilience and threat mitigation.

The pace and focus of hiring varies across the fintech landscape. Firms such as FNZ, Wise, Deel, and Ebury Partners are experiencing significant headcount expansion ranging from 40% to 120%, spurred by new product offerings and international expansion. Conversely, other fintechs are proceeding more cautiously, adjusting their hiring as cost pressures and a challenging fundraising environment call for more selective recruitment.

Strategic hiring is being prioritised, with investment flowing primarily into compliance, product engineering, and IT security positions. Meanwhile, more generalist functions are remaining stable or undergoing reviews for potential cost efficiencies.

Mark Astbury, Director, Morgan McKinley UK, commented: "Despite investor caution and geopolitical uncertainty, the UK's fintech sector is powering ahead with one of its strongest hiring outlooks in recent years. A projected 32% rise in professional vacancies, led by London but echoed nationwide, signals a market shifting from rapid-fire scaling to more deliberate, strategic expansion, particularly across compliance, cybersecurity, and engineering."

Astbury continued: "The data tells a clear story: despite subdued venture capital flows, demand for specialist talent remains robust. This isn't a hype-driven rebound, it's a grounded response to real-world pressures. Fintech firms are hiring to meet rising regulatory expectations as they grow, to counter increasingly sophisticated financial threats, and to build more resilient digital infrastructure. The surge in fraud risk and compliance roles, alongside double-digit growth in IT security and engineering, reflects an industry maturing in response to both opportunity and obligation. Looking ahead at the rest of 2025, the message is clear: fintech hiring is purposeful and focused. The shift from reactive to proactive talent acquisition is redefining how firms invest, not just in products, but in people."

Data compiled for the report highlights the most active recruiters in the sector for 2023 through 2025, with Deel, Wise, Checkout, Teya, and Radius among the top ten in terms of professional vacancies. Deel recorded 381 roles in 2023, 477 in 2024, and is projected to reach 675 in 2025. Wise reported 459 vacancies in 2023, 336 in 2024, and is forecast to rise to 600 in 2025. Other firms, including Checkout and Teya, also show significant anticipated increases in professional hiring through next year.

The report's findings are based on data sourced directly from company career pages, with postings rigorously verified and deduplicated to ensure accuracy. The growth forecasts underscore the importance of specialist skills in compliance, risk management, and cybersecurity, as UK fintechs respond to ongoing regulatory changes and the need for robust digital infrastructure.