UK Banking Vacancies Show Strong Growth
The rising number of vacancies open to those working in the UK banking and financial services sector shows no sign of abating, according to specialist recruitment firm Robert Walters. UK roles in banking and finance rose by 20% between the second and third quarters of 2013, according to its ‘European Jobs Index’ measuring changes in advertised job volumes.
The data provides further evidence of the positive hiring trends affecting the sector, adding to a 27% increase in UK vacancies recorded in the first half of the year. Top performing areas included London and the South East, which together produced a 33% rise in vacancies compared to Q2. Scotland’s financial services industry also added 26% more roles in the same period.
“As the outlook for the economy improves we have seen a spike in recruitment activity, with institutions seeking to build out what were very lean teams,” said Peter Milne, director of banking and financial services recruitment at Robert Walters. “The results are a clear demonstration of confidence returning to the sector, triggering a rise in demand across a variety of roles.
“The growing weight of regulation has been a central preoccupation for many banks and financial institutions, and professionals with the right levels of expertise in this area will continue to be in high demand. At the same time, an upturn in transactional volumes – most notably initial public offerings [IPOs] – compounds hopes that the sector has turned a corner and is now on a trajectory of long-term growth. “