Fintech is revolutionising the financial services industry as it continues to help companies, business owners, and consumers better manage their finances — it’s changing how we manage our money using innovative technology. So if you’re looking to progress your career and skills in an industry going from strength to strength in the UK, fintech is a prime sector.
The UK is the leading fintech hub in Europe. Thriving, it is showing no signs of slowing down with investments growing by £9.1bn in the first half of 2022, according to a report by the International Trade Administration, with 76,000 fintech jobs contributing to the UK economy as a result.
It was also reported last month a newly launched Fintech Growth Fund aims to invest between £10m and £100m into fintech companies to ensure continued growth in the industry.
Top five technologies that will transform the fintech sector — Here are the capability areas that look set to disrupt financial services.
A growth-focused sector
It’s easy to see from the above alone why businesses are keen to set up shop. Up to last year, over 3,000 fintech companies were headquartered in the UK, according to insights from The Global City UK. With that number set to double by 2030, there’s no better time to enter the fintech job market or pivot to take on a new challenge.
But what do you need if you want to stand out as a candidate in this highly competitive sector? Fintech is a fast-paced, evolving industry that demands a wide variety of skills to fill various positions from developers and engineers, marketers and salespeople.
A recent study highlights particular attributes and levels of expertise that would make potential job applicants really shine:
Evolving technical knowledge is key
The ever-changing landscape of technologies, including big data, cloud technology, artificial intelligence, and blockchain is reshaping the finance industry as we know it.
This means employers value candidates who have strong technical knowledge, and can adapt quickly to new tools and programs. Know your Python from your Java, or perhaps you are an expert on cybersecurity, AI, data analytics and cloud computing? Highlight these on your CV.
Always be up-to-date on what’s next. So you have a solid skill base, but do you know the upcoming fintech trends or pitfalls to look out for?
To keep up with recent developments as they evolve, job seekers should demonstrate a willingness to learn. This can be done by studying new technologies and processes, attending industry conferences or signing up for online courses. It’s about looking out for potential risks so that you know how to innovate despite these challenges, in your role and projects.
80% of UK tech start-ups investing in skills to mitigate gaps — With almost half of small businesses surveyed by the Department for Education citing a lack of skilled staff as a concern, investment in this challenge proves widespread among UK tech start-ups.
Communication and creativity matter
The fintech skills and attitudes study found that 57 per cent of senior leaders value soft skills, such as communication and collaboration, as abilities that are just as vital as technical skills.
Fintech roles are highly collaborative, making strong teamwork and communication skills as essential as your technical know-how. Creativity is at the heart of innovation in an industry such as this, so potential employers will be eager to see that flair as you work to enhance user experiences using the latest technology, for example.
Don’t be afraid to recount a successful project you might have worked on previously to show off that creativity. A “can do” attitude is essential as you try and test the limits of how we work alongside a complex technical landscape with ease.
If you’re hoping to pivot into the world of fintech, it starts with finding the right role. You can discover lots of these on the Information Age Job Board.
Delta 1 trading assistant, Barclays, London
As a Delta 1 Trade Capture Specialist, you will be accountable for providing exceptional assistance to trading desks across London and Luxembourg. You will ensure accurate trade booking in line with reporting regulations, monitor risk, and provide expert knowledge to stakeholders. You’ll also have an opportunity to work closely with stakeholders across the Markets business. Find more details and how to apply here.
Software engineer, Ripple, London
As a software engineer, you’ll deliver reliable, high-throughput, low-latency (micro)services to support systematic market making, trading, and execution to deliver best-in-class liquidity to customers. You will also participate in the full software development lifecycle by capturing requirements, using sound software design principles, and ensuring operational excellence with unit and integration testing, as well as diving deep into researching and understanding what practices to bring from traditional financial systems to the crypto space. Read the full job description here.
How to become a software engineer — Britain has around two million technology jobs left unfilled, yet even a junior developer can earn £39,000 a year. We explain how a novice can become a software engineer.
Artificial intelligence engineer, IBM, London
As an AI engineer within a Client Engineering squad, you’ll partner with technical leaders across IBM sales teams and specialists to drive these experiential client engagements. You will form a sales cornerstone in partnership with development, research and sales for rapid client delivery and product innovation. You’ll leverage the watsonx platform with clients to co-create the value AI can bring to business, focusing on technology patterns as the way to build the right skills and assets for repeatability to delight clients. AI engineers work in a high-touch environment on all watsonx.ai opportunities. Discover the full role details here.
Jennifer McShane is an Irish writer and editor, currently based in London. She has over 12 years of experience in print and digital publishing.
Find your ideal fintech job on the Information Age Job Board now
Related:
The role of data analytics in fintech — This article will explore the role of data analytics in Fintech operations, as the disruptive innovation space continues to grow.
