Despite persistent economic headwinds and a cooling venture capital climate, UK fintech firms are poised to boost professional hiring by 32% in 2025, according to a new report from Morgan McKinley and Vacancysoft.

This uptick comes as fintechs continue maturing from early-stage ventures into scalable operations, driven by regulatory changes, cyber reforms, and the possibility of renewed UK-EU financial ties. Companies are increasingly focusing on strategic hires to support product expansion and operational resilience, even as broader fundraising challenges persist.

Risk and compliance roles are expected to see notable growth, with hiring projected to rise 29% for the third consecutive year. Within this segment, demand for financial crime professionals is set to increase by 50%, while fraud-related positions may double. The report attributes this trend to heightened regulatory scrutiny and the complexities of cross-border operations. Meanwhile, technology hiring is forecast to grow by 39%, especially in cybersecurity, IT management, and engineering—an increase supported by the anticipated Cyber Security and Resilience Bill.

Hiring patterns vary across the sector. Fast-growing firms like FNZ, Wise, Deel, and Ebury Partners are expanding headcounts by as much as 120%, buoyed by product innovation and global expansion. Others are taking a more conservative approach, trimming generalist roles in response to cost pressures. However, strategic functions such as compliance, engineering, and IT security remain hiring priorities. Morgan McKinley’s Mark Astbury notes this signals a shift from hype-driven growth to measured, mission-critical expansion in a sector adapting to both opportunity and regulatory demands.