Hiring Hotspots in 2025: UK & France Investment Banking Outlook
Healthcare, Infrastructure, Industrials, and Technology
Investment banking hiring in 2025 is shaped by broader economic and sector-specific momentum across Europe, with the UK and France at the centre of much of the activity. Despite ongoing macro uncertainty, certain sectors are generating strong demand for specialist banking talent — particularly those tied to resilient industries and structural investment themes.
1. Healthcare: Resilient and Expanding
Across both the UK and France, healthcare and life sciences continue to attract investor and government interest. The UK has placed life sciences at the core of its industrial strategy with significant public and private funding, aiming to solidify its position as a European life sciences hub. Recent commitments — such as a substantial investment into UK biotech funds — underline the ongoing growth in capital raising and advisory opportunities in the sector. The Times
In France, well-established pharmaceutical and biotech clusters around Paris and Lyon fuel steady M&A and financing activity, often requiring bankers with deep regulatory and commercial insight.
Demand drivers include ageing populations, robust R&D pipelines, and cross-border fundraising activity.
2. Infrastructure: Long-Term Stability and ESG Focus
Infrastructure remains a cornerstone of investment banking work in both markets, underpinned by policy commitments to net-zero transition and digital connectivity.
Recent data shows that European infrastructure-focused funds have attracted record commitments — a trend that supports financing activity and advisory mandates across the UK and France. Financial Times
Banks and advisory firms recruiting in this space seek professionals with project finance, ESG, and cross-jurisdiction regulatory expertise. Specialists who can navigate complex public-private partnerships and green energy transitions are particularly valuable.
3. Industrials: Transformation, Supply Chain and Cross-Border Deals
Industrial sectors across Europe — from automotive and aerospace to advanced manufacturing — are undergoing transformation driven by sustainability criteria and supply chain recalibration. In both the UK and French markets, these themes are translating into carve-outs, restructuring mandates, and cross-border M&A opportunities.
Investment bankers with operational fluency, international deal experience, and sector-specific networks continue to command a hiring premium.
Given that the UK is currently Europe’s most attractive destination for financial services investment, banks based in London benefit from deeper deal pipelines and broader capital access. EY
France also remains a key European financial centre, with Paris seen as among the most attractive cities for future financial services investment. EY
4. Technology: Sustained Demand and Hot Roles
Technology remains a significant source of hiring activity in investment banking in both the UK and France:
- In the UK, tech deals — especially in fintech, AI, cybersecurity, and SaaS — remain robust, with the UK continuing to dominate European fintech deal volume. KPMG
- In France, digital transformation and AI-driven business models are increasingly crossing into venture capital, growth equity, and M&A workstreams.
Moreover, London’s financial job market has seen renewed momentum, with banking and tech-related vacancies rising in 2025 against a backdrop of automation and digital transformation hiring. Morgan McKinley
Financial institutions are competing not only among themselves but also with technology firms for talent — particularly in roles involving data analytics, AI strategy, and digital infrastructure.
Conclusion
In 2025, demand for specialised banking expertise in healthcare, infrastructure, industrials, and technology continues to outstrip supply in the UK and French markets. Employers best positioned to secure top talent will be those who:
- Offer deep sector knowledge and cross-border experience
- Provide clear career progression
- Act decisively in recruitment amid fierce competition
For professionals, focusing on these hotspots provides resilience as well as exposure to high-impact sectors — a strategic advantage for building long-term careers in investment banking.
Reference List
Market and Hiring Trends
- EY Attractiveness Survey — UK remains Europe’s most attractive financial services investment market, with London and Paris top investor destinations. EY
- Private Capital & Infrastructure Data — Europe attracts record private capital, boosting infrastructure fundraising and deal support. Financial Times
- British Business Bank Investment — UK’s targeted life sciences funding boosts sector growth and deal activity. The Times
- Morgan McKinley Bank Hiring Trends — Banking vacancies and technology-led roles rising in the UK in 2025. Morgan McKinley
- KPMG Pulse of Fintech — Fintech funding remains strong in Europe with major UK deals. KPMG
