• Increased Demand: The need for skilled compliance professionals has surged as firms prioritise compliance with evolving regulatory requirements. There is a heightened demand for individuals with expertise in financial regulations, risk management, and compliance frameworks specific to the CFD and FX sectors.
• Specialised Skillsets: Firms seek individuals who understand the complexities of these markets, including leverage limits, margin requirements, client protections, and regulatory reporting obligations.
• Technological Proficiency: Compliance professionals are increasingly required to possess proficiency in technology and data analytics tools to support compliance efforts. Firms seek individuals who can leverage technology to enhance monitoring, surveillance, and reporting capabilities in line with regulatory expectations.
• Risk Management Expertise: With a regulatory focus on risk management and mitigation, firms prioritise hiring compliance professionals with strong risk management expertise. Candidates with experience in developing risk frameworks, conducting risk assessments, and implementing risk mitigation strategies are highly sought after.
• Regulatory Knowledge Transfer: Compliance professionals are expected to stay abreast of regulatory developments and disseminate relevant information within the organisation. Firms seek individuals who can facilitate knowledge transfer, train staff on regulatory requirements, and ensure compliance across all levels of the organisation.
• Competitive Recruitment Landscape: The increasing demand for compliance professionals in the CFD and FX sectors has intensified competition for talent. Firms may need to offer competitive salaries, benefits, and career development opportunities to attract and retain top talent in the compliance field.

Overall, the regulatory pressures facing CFD and FX firms in the UK have led to an increased demand for compliance professionals with this more specialised knowledge. We’re likely coming to the end of the well documented Consumer Duty implementation for most players in this space, but the FCA will continue to put pressure and focus on disclosures from firms, with enhanced regulatory reporting measures already being introduced. The general consensus is most compliance teams are over-stretched or at full capacity, so, despite current budget and market pressures, those that are being given the opportunity and resource to hire are in a strong position to capitalise.

To round this out from a business and hiring perspective, competition for junior talent at the Associate and Analyst levels with a few years of experience remains competitive, and market rate salaries have increased. My advice would be to review your internal talent pool compensation with the external market to avoid retention struggles. From a candidate’s point of view, skillsets in these areas are certainly well-positioned for reasonable career advancement, particularly as businesses seek to expand their teams with a specialised focus on Regulatory Compliance.

Are you in this space and keen to explore what opportunities these developments are bringing? If so, do reach out to shane.cassidy@coopman.uk.