FinTech leaders back UK as AI and regulation raise concerns

By Puja Sharma

• Around 90% of FinTech leaders expect to increase UK investment and hiring over the next three years
• About 46% warn Britain risks falling behind rival FinTech hubs on AI and digital infrastructure
• Approx 43% identify regulatory clarity and speed as a competitive risk for the UK
• Over 78% are confident the new Prime Minister will create a supportive environment for UK FinTech

Britain’s FinTech leaders are preparing to invest and hire in the UK but are warning Government that the country risks losing ground to rival financial centres unless it moves faster on AI, infrastructure and regulation, according to research from Chatsworth.

The FinTech 100 Leadership Survey, commissioned by FinTech advisory firm Chatsworth and carried out by Censuswide, surveyed 100 FinTech leaders in the run-up to FinTech Week London to gauge their confidence in the UK, investment and hiring intentions, and the areas where they believe government action is needed to keep Britain competitive.

The results deliver a striking vote of confidence in Britain: 90% expect their businesses to increase UK investment and hiring over the next three years, with only 3% saying they are unlikely to do so. But that confidence comes with a warning. Just 6% believe the UK is not at risk of falling behind competing FinTech hubs in any of the areas tested.

As the global FinTech industry assembles in London this week for FinTech Week London, the biggest area where leaders believe the UK risks falling behind competing FinTech hubs is AI and digital infrastructure, cited by 46%. This is followed by regulatory clarity and speed at 43%, access to specialist talent at 38%, tax competitiveness at 35%, public markets at 31% and access to growth capital at 30%.

The findings come as founders, investors, financial institutions, policymakers, regulators and technology leaders gather across the capital for FinTech Week London, with more than 1,500 participants expected across the week.

Asked to identify the single Government action that would have the greatest positive impact on UK FinTech, 26% chose investment in AI and digital infrastructure, ahead of increasing regulatory clarity and speed (16%), strengthening UK public markets (14%), improving access to growth capital (10%) and reducing the regulatory burden (10%).

Among CTOs, 40% say AI and digital infrastructure investment should be the Government’s major priority, while 56% believe Britain risks falling behind competing FinTech hubs in this area.

CEOs are more focused on the regulatory environment. Regulatory clarity and speed are their number one ask of Government, selected by 23%, while 45% identify it as an area in which Britain risks losing ground. CFOs sit between the two: AI investment and regulatory clarity are tied as their top priorities, while 53% are concerned about Britain’s competitive position on AI infrastructure and 50% identify tax competitiveness as a risk.

Despite those concerns, the FinTech 100 Leadership Survey shows that the industry’s appetite to build in Britain remains remarkably resilient. Nine in ten FinTech leaders expect to increase UK investment and hiring during the next three years. Among businesses employing 250-500 people, that rises to 96%, with almost two-thirds (63%) saying they are very likely to increase their commitment to the UK.

The findings underline the opportunity facing Britain as it competes with established and emerging FinTech centres worldwide for businesses, investment, technology and highly skilled jobs.

London enters FinTech Week from a position of considerable strength. Dealroom research ranks it as the world’s number one FinTech ecosystem, with 137 unicorns and a combined enterprise value of $714 billion. The UK remains one of FinTech’s global heavyweights. It attracted $3.6 billion of FinTech investment in 2025, ranking second in the world behind only the US and first in Europe. UK FinTech attracted more investment than the next five European markets combined.

The sector now comprises more than 3,000 UK FinTech companies, while earlier industry estimates put employment at more than 76,000 jobs. FinTech businesses also provide around 60% of lending to UK SMEs, underscoring its importance well beyond financial services.

Nick Murray-Leslie, Principal at Chatsworth, commented, “There is a remarkably clear message from the 100 FinTech leaders we’ve surveyed. They want to invest in Britain. That’s enormously positive, but they don’t believe Britain’s position at the top table is guaranteed.

“As the global FinTech industry descends on London this week, our CTOs are sounding the alarm on AI infrastructure, CEOs want faster and clearer regulation, and CFOs are worried about tax and competitiveness. These are the factors that will determine where FinTech businesses invest, hire and scale.

“Britain starts from a position of real strength. We have deep financial markets, world-class technology expertise, access to talent and one of the world’s most developed FinTech ecosystems. But past success won’t guarantee future success when other financial centres are competing for exactly the same founders, engineers and investment.

“The good news is that FinTech is ready to back Britain. The challenge for Government, particularly as we head towards the Autumn Budget, is to give these businesses every reason to keep investing here and create the conditions in which the next generation of global FinTech champions can start and scale in the UK.”