Preventing Attrition: Why Half of UK Finance Professionals Are Considering Leaving — and How to Keep Them

Research

Recent studies show that almost half of UK finance professionals are considering leaving their current roles in 2025. With around 1.17 million financial services roles nationwide and over 700,000 job vacancies still open across the UK, employers risk losing valuable talent to competitors at a time when recruitment pipelines are already stretched. Pay growth across accountancy and finance has averaged around 3.6% in the past year, but many firms are forecasting more modest 2–4% pay awards in 2025 — intensifying the need for non-financial retention levers such as career development and flexibility.

Approach

Croft & Co advised clients to tackle attrition with a proactive retention strategy. We helped firms redesign EVP messaging, focusing on progression, culture, and flexibility alongside pay. Our team supported leaders in implementing clear career frameworks, mentoring schemes, and recognition initiatives, while also benchmarking compensation to ensure competitiveness.

Results

Employers reported higher retention of key performers and a stronger perception of career development within their organisations. By acting early, they reduced the risk of disruption from sudden departures and protected critical leadership pipelines. In a market where 58% of finance hiring managers planned to expand teams in 2025, Croft & Co’s clients gained a clear advantage — strengthening engagement and stability while competitors continued to battle turnover.