For digital businesses, challenger brands and international companies, 2025 is shaping up to be a year full of exciting opportunities.
From AI to office culture, here are the top trends I see shaping this space in the year ahead.
London has long been a tech hub, and it just doesn’t seem to slow down!
As a global AI leader, London remains a top destination for US companies looking to establish their European headquarters. With one of the largest digital talent-rich workforces in the world, and a thriving ecosystem of AI, fintech and digital startups, London continues to attract big names.
Expect a surge in AI and fintech jobs this year as international companies eye the UK for expansion. With AI, fintech, crypto, blockchain, and digital health – these sectors are in growth mode right now.
According to PWC, the demand for AI expertise is expanding five times faster than other job sectors. Roles in demand? Think AI engineers, data scientists, machine learning specialists, and sales & marketing for these industries.
Venture capital is seeing a comeback, with a clear focus on the AI and blockchain sectors.
The Sunday Times Tech 100 reveals that the UK’s fastest-growing tech firms raised £10billion in 2024. Over 12,200 new roles were created in the last three years, and another 4,200 are expected in 2025.
We expect a focus on junior hires for the newly funded startups – a great opportunity for the early stage companies to take advantage of the mostly flat banking and professional services graduate hiring landscape.
As CEOs start to rethink hybrid work, the balance is shifting.
Work from home (WFH) is no longer the default, and many employers are pushing for teams to return to the office full-time or in hybrid. It’s clear that office culture is making a comeback, but, as requested by employees, more flexibly this time round.
It’s not just about in-office work either – there’s a larger trend of longer hours and maximising productivity. Businesses are focused on doing more with less staff.
The UK’s focus on AI will influence the job market
One of the most exciting recent developments is the Prime Minister’s AI Action Plan. If fully funded, with new tax incentives to attract overseas investment, this could fuel the UK’s position as a global AI leader and drive significant growth in fintech, attracting international investment from the US, Middle East and Asia, which would be a game-changer for the UK’s job market.
And while AI could shrink departments in the long term, it will also create new roles and empower smaller teams with advanced tools. This growth is leading to a huge demand for roles like chief AI officers, AI engineers, as well as senior data scientists.
My take? It’s a double-edged sword – fewer people may be needed, but those who adapt to the AI-powered world will be in high demand.
