Financial services is shifting towards higher-skilled, better-qualified roles. According to the GOV.UK Temporary Shortage List Stage 2 report, recruitment in the sector was generally for Regulatory Qualification Framework (RQF) level 6 and above roles, rather than the RQF 3 to 5 band. In plain terms, employers are hiring at degree-equivalent level and above, not at entry level.
That pattern matters now. As pension schemes consolidate into larger megafunds, the people managing those assets need deeper technical knowledge, stronger regulatory understanding and the judgement to run bigger, more complex portfolios. The hiring bar is rising with the size of the money being managed.
The demand sits at the senior and specialist end. Because the sector is recruiting mainly for RQF level 6 and above roles rather than RQF 3 to 5, as noted in the GOV.UK Temporary Shortage List Stage 2 report, the people in shortest supply are qualified investment professionals: portfolio managers, risk and compliance specialists, actuaries and investment analysts who can operate at scale.
Larger funds change the shape of the team, too. Consolidation tends to favour in-house investment capability over fragmented outsourcing, so megafunds build teams that cover private markets, infrastructure, risk modelling and governance. The dynamic is clear: fewer, larger employers competing for a concentrated pool of highly qualified specialists.
Start by being precise about the qualification level you actually need. With demand skewed to RQF level 6 and above roles, as set out in the GOV.UK Temporary Shortage List Stage 2 report, a vague brief wastes time. Define the regulatory qualifications, the asset classes and the governance experience the role requires before you go to market.
The hardest part is reaching qualified specialists who aren't actively looking. In a market this concentrated, speed and reach decide who secures the best people.
That's where we help. We search a database of 15 million candidates to find qualified investment specialists, surface a ranked shortlist in under 30 seconds, and manage the process end to end so you can focus on the hire. 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. Ready to build your investment team? Start your shortlist with us today.
