AI and tech skills drive 12% rise in finance job vacancies in 2025
Finance hiring in the UK picked up in 2025. Job vacancies in the sector rose 12%, led by demand for AI, software, regulatory, and data skills, according to Morgan McKinley's London Employment Monitor.
The signal is clear: firms are building technology capacity inside finance teams. AI and automation are shaping hiring plans, especially at the expense of entry-level and routine roles.
Software roles now outpace traditional banking jobs
Software and computer services accounted for over 16% of finance vacancies last year. That's slightly ahead of investment management and banking, which each made up 15%.
This follows a pause in hiring late last year as market volatility, higher employer NI contributions, and pre-budget noise led many firms to delay decisions. Those roles are now being released-with a clear tilt toward technical skill sets.
Where demand is rising-and where it isn't
- Rising: AI, data reporting, regulatory expertise, and software engineering linked to finance workflows.
- Falling: Administrative vacancies dropped 16%; broking roles fell 20% year over year.
The data points to fewer clerical and entry-level opportunities, particularly for graduates. Tasks that can be automated are being automated; the premium is moving to roles that build, implement, and govern the systems.
What this means for finance professionals
If you're in finance, your edge is shifting from process knowledge to applied tech fluency. You don't need to be a full-time engineer, but you do need to work with AI, data, and software as part of your daily toolkit.
- Learn the tools that ship value: SQL, Python, and workflow automation for reporting, controls, and analysis.
- Strengthen regulatory reporting and data governance skills-areas where hiring remains steady and defensible.
- Build practical AI literacy: use LLMs for analysis, documentation, reconciliation, and QA with proper controls.
- Show results: cut cycle times, improve accuracy, and document the audit trail. Outcomes beat credentials.
Signals for 2026
Hiring momentum is expected to carry into early 2026 as UK unemployment remains low and inflation sits near 3.2%, with forecasts pointing toward ~2.5% later in the year. For context on inflation trends, see the latest data from the ONS.
Translation: budgets aren't closing-requirements are shifting. Teams that ship automation, better reporting, and cleaner data will get headcount.
Practical next steps
- Map your current workflows and mark what can be automated, standardized, or instrumented with data.
- Pick one high-frequency task and rebuild it with SQL/Python plus an AI assistant-measure time saved.
- Align skills with demand: AI, regulatory reporting, and data engineering basics beat generic admin experience.
Want a shortcut to relevant learning paths and tools used in finance teams?
- AI tools for finance - curated options for analysis, reporting, and automation.
- Courses by job - pick skills that match the roles gaining traction.
Source: Morgan McKinley London Employment Monitor
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