Financial services is one of the UK's most skills-intensive sectors, and the hiring picture reflects that. Recent government analysis of the sector found that recruitment was generally for Regulatory Qualification Framework (RQF) 6+ roles, rather than RQF 3-5 GOV.UK's Temporary Shortage List Stage 2 report (2026). In plain terms, employers are hiring for degree-level and above positions far more than for mid-level ones.
That pattern matters as private markets, think private equity, private credit, infrastructure and venture, become accessible to a broader base of investors. New funds, new products and new distribution channels all need people who can structure deals, manage risk and stay on the right side of the rules. The demand is weighted towards the senior, specialist end, which shapes how you plan and compete for talent.
When recruitment concentrates at RQF 6+ level, you're competing for people with formal qualifications and hard-won experience GOV.UK's Temporary Shortage List Stage 2 report (2026). In private markets that means investment professionals, fund accountants, compliance and risk specialists, legal and structuring experts, and operations people who understand illiquid assets and complex reporting.
The dynamic to watch is widening access. As private markets open to wealth managers, pension schemes and retail-adjacent products, firms need distribution, product and investor-relations talent alongside the core deal teams. The same qualified pool is being pulled towards several growth areas at once, so speed and precision in hiring become real advantages.
Start with the qualification bar. With most recruitment at RQF 6+ level, define upfront which regulatory qualifications and experience are genuinely essential, and which you can develop in post GOV.UK's Temporary Shortage List Stage 2 report (2026). A tight brief stops you screening out strong people or waiting for a profile that does not exist.
Good hiring in this sector is about matching real capability to a well-scoped need, then managing the process end to end so momentum never stalls.
We built Reed.ai to make specialist hiring fast and precise. Our recruitment agent manages recruitment end to end for 8% on a successful hire, with no monthly fee and no upfront cost. If you're building a team for private markets or any part of financial services, start your search with us today.
