FinTech’s technology has moved from niche innovation to mainstream infrastructure — reshaping how financial services operate and, in turn, the skills employers need. From high street banks to asset managers, UK finance is recruiting for a world where digital platforms, automation, and AI aren’t optional extras but core to strategy.

From User to Builder: Tech Fluency as a Core Competency

The adoption of FinTech-driven systems means finance teams now work alongside — and often inside — technology functions. Roles that once focused on reporting and control now require understanding of APIs, digital payment rails, and automation workflows.

• In 2025, technology-related vacancies across UK finance grew by 39% (Vacancysoft, May 2025), driven largely by automation and integration projects.
• Demand for data analytics and engineering skills in finance functions has spiked as firms seek real-time insight from complex transactional datasets.

AI & Automation: Redefining Entry and Mid-Level Roles

Machine learning tools originally developed for FinTech — such as fraud detection engines, credit scoring models, and AI-assisted investment analysis — are now standard in mainstream finance.

• A 2025 EY survey found 75% of UK financial institutions have automated more than half of their routine finance processes (EY UK FS Regulation Outlook, Feb 2025).
• This shift reduces demand for manual processing roles while boosting hiring for automation specialists, AI product managers, and controls engineers.

Compliance, Risk & Cybersecurity Take Centre Stage

FinTech platforms have introduced faster settlement cycles, new payment channels, and decentralised finance (DeFi) integrations — all of which require robust oversight.

• Risk and compliance hiring in UK finance is forecast to grow 29% in 2025, with financial crime and fraud-related roles expected to increase by over 50% (Vacancysoft, May 2025).
• FCA’s operational resilience rules, effective March 2025, have pushed banks and insurers to recruit more tech-literate compliance officers able to oversee AI-led processes.

The New Commercial Profile

With embedded finance and real-time payments, decision-making is faster and more data-rich. Finance leaders are expected to act as strategic partners — understanding platform monetisation, customer journeys, and agile budgeting.

• Candidates with experience in high-growth, digital-first environments are now prioritised for senior finance roles in traditional firms.
• The skillset mix has shifted: technical accounting + data fluency + commercial modelling is now the preferred profile.

Culture Shift: From Hierarchy to Cross-Functional Collaboration

Tech-enabled finance teams are flatter, more integrated with product and engineering, and work on shorter iteration cycles. Hiring now favours those who are adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable challenging established processes — even in large, regulated institutions.

In Summary

FinTech’s technology is no longer a disruptor at the edges — it’s embedded in the core of UK finance. That means hiring strategies must target candidates who can:

• Operate fluently in digital ecosystems
• Partner effectively with technology teams
• Apply financial expertise in automated, data-rich environments

The challenge? These hybrid skill sets are still scarce. The winners in 2025 will be the employers who can articulate a compelling vision for tech-enabled finance — and back it with the right training, culture, and career path.

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