Financial services remains a sector built on specialist knowledge. Recent government analysis of shortage occupations found that in the Financial Services sector, recruitment was generally for higher-level roles, those sitting at Regulatory Qualification Framework (RQF) 6 and above, rather than the RQF 3 to 5 band the GOV.UK Temporary Shortage List: Stage 2 report. That tells us demand is concentrated at the more qualified, more senior end of the market.
For brokers, that shift matters. Clients expect sharper advice, faster responses and digital tools that make dealing with a broker easier. Meeting those expectations takes more than a licence. It takes people who can translate complex products into clear, engaging communication and who are comfortable with the technology that now sits behind every transaction.
The core qualifications are not going away. With demand skewed towards RQF 6 and above roles the GOV.UK Temporary Shortage List: Stage 2 report, technical depth still opens the door. What is changing is what sits alongside it.
Brokers increasingly want people who blend regulated knowledge with creative and digital ability. In practice that means:
The result is a hybrid profile: someone who understands regulation but can also build a landing page, read a dashboard or shape a client journey. These people are harder to find, because they rarely fit one neat job title.
Start by rewriting the brief. If you only screen for qualifications, you will miss the creative and digital edge you actually need. Separate the must-have regulated requirements from the skills you can develop, then be explicit about both.
Next, widen your search. The best hybrid candidates may come from adjacent fields: marketing, product, analytics or technology. Look for transferable strengths and a willingness to learn the regulated side, rather than an identical past role.
Finally, move quickly and communicate clearly. Skilled people with digital and creative experience have options, so a slow or vague process loses them. Set out the role, the progression and the tools they will work with, and keep each stage tight.
This is where we help. We search a database of 15 million candidates to surface people who match both the regulated knowledge and the creative and digital skills brokers now want. Our recruitment agent manages recruitment end to end for 8% on a successful hire, with no monthly fee and no upfront cost, through Reed.ai. Tell us what you are looking for and we will get started today.
