According to TechRepublic, new data from recruitment firm Morgan McKinley forecasts a massive 37% year-on-year rise in fintech vacancies in London for 2026, marking the sector’s strongest hiring surge since 2021. The capital is utterly dominant, set to host nearly three-quarters of all UK fintech jobs next year. Fueling this growth are development and engineering roles, while risk and compliance hiring has more than doubled, driven by fraud and AI-related threats. AI positions are a major focus, commanding salaries 20% higher than non-AI roles, with over 1,300 AI-focused enterprises like DeepMind operating in the city. The momentum has been building, with IT roles jumping 39% year-over-year in the first half of 2025, and fintech funding hitting $10.9 billion in Q3 2025.
London’s Unshakable Dominance
Here’s the thing: the UK fintech story is still, overwhelmingly, a London story. A 37% projected jump in vacancies is staggering, but the real kicker is that 74% of the nation’s fintech jobs will be there. That’s not just a hub; that’s a black hole pulling in all the talent and capital. Regional growth at 16% is healthy, sure, but it pales in comparison. This cements London’s role as Europe’s fintech powerhouse, a status reinforced by geopolitical stability acting as a safe harbor. It seems like the city’s unique position as a bridge between European markets and global finance is paying off more than ever.
The AI and Risk Revolution
So what are all these new hires actually doing? The data points to two explosive areas. First, AI. Salaries are 20% higher for these roles, which tells you everything about the fierce competition for talent. Companies aren’t just dabbling; AI-enabled fintechs captured 23% of all funding last quarter. They’re betting big. Second, and just as critical, is risk and compliance. Hiring in that sector is up nearly 26% year-on-year, with specialist roles in credit risk and financial crime more than doubling. That’s a direct response to scaling operations and new, sophisticated threats—especially AI-enabled fraud. It’s a defensive boom happening alongside the offensive AI push.
business”>What It Means for Jobseekers and Business
For professionals, this is a golden ticket if you have the right skills. The median salary across postings is around £43k, but specialization pays: think Python, Java, blockchain, and machine learning. IT project managers can command over £69,000. But look at the business landscape. This hiring spree is being driven by a “fewer bets, bigger conviction” model. Mega-rounds made up 40% of funding last quarter. Companies like Radius and SumUp are expanding aggressively. They’re not hiring general support staff; they’re automating those roles. They want builders, innovators, and protectors. It’s a fundamental shift in how these companies are structured.
A Sustainable Boom or a Bubble?
Now, is this all too good to be true? There are always headwinds. The report mentions the massive £150 billion US-UK Tech Prosperity Deal, but that’s currently on hold. That’s a potential future funding spigot that isn’t flowing yet. And while the UK government has committed billions to AI since 2014, the real test is whether the infrastructure and talent pipeline can keep up with this demand. The concentration in London also poses a risk—to the rest of the country, certainly, but also to London itself if it becomes over-heated. Still, with turnover from the sector hitting £213.6 billion nationally, the momentum feels real. This isn’t a speculative bubble; it’s the scaling phase. And for now, all roads lead to London.
