Navigating the North West Finance Industry

The North West has long been one of the UK’s economic powerhouses, a region steeped in commercial heritage and innovation. From Manchester’s fast-growing fintech scene to Lancashire’s backbone of traditional accountancy and finance roles, the North West finance industry is evolving fast, as are the challenges and opportunities in recruiting top-tier talent.

As a Recruiter with over 17 years in the field, I’ve had a front-row seat to this transformation. Here’s what I’m seeing and what it means for both employers and candidates.

A Region in Growth Mode

Finance in the North West is no longer just about corporate accountants and number crunchers behind closed doors. The sector has diversified rapidly:

Fintech and digital banking hubs in Manchester and Liverpool are attracting both startups and major players.
Shared service centres in towns like Warrington, Preston, and Blackburn continue to expand.
SMEs across Lancashire and Cumbria still need reliable, experienced finance professionals to support business resilience and growth.

This diversity is a strength for the local economy but it brings an added complexity when it comes to talent acquisition.

A Competitive Talent Market

We’re currently operating in a candidate-driven market, especially in key finance specialisms:

Qualified accountants (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with commercial acumen are in high demand.
Finance business partners and FP&A professionals are essential for strategic growth and improving profitability, yet scarce.
Payroll, credit control, and transactional finance roles remain foundational but can be surprisingly tough to fill due to skills shortages.

In short, good candidates aren’t staying on the market for long and that means employers need to move faster and be more flexible than ever.

What Employers Need to Know

Here’s my advice to employers hiring finance talent in the North West:

Think beyond salary. Candidates are placing higher value on flexibility, work-life balance, and progression opportunities. Remote and hybrid models are no longer a perk, they’ve become an expectation.
Invest in your employer brand. What makes your business stand out? A strong brand can make a massive difference in attracting and recruiting passive candidates.
Partner strategically. Whether you’re a high-growth SME or an established PLC, working with a recruiter who understands the regional market can save time, reduce hiring risk, and ensure cultural fit.

What Candidates Are Looking For

Candidates, especially younger professionals entering the finance sector, are driven by more than money. They’re asking:

Will I be supported through my qualifications?
Is there a clear path for progression?
Can I work in a values-led, inclusive environment?
How flexible is the working arrangement?

Our job as recruiters is to match those aspirations with the real opportunities available and to help both parties find a lasting fit.

What’s Next for Finance Recruitment in the North West?

Looking ahead, I believe we’ll see:

Further specialisation – employers will look for niche skillsets (e.g. data analytics in finance).
Tech-savvy candidates in demand – especially those comfortable with automation, cloud finance systems, and BI tools.
Reskilling and internal development – as retention becomes as crucial as recruitment.

The North West is a region full of potential. With the right talent strategies, businesses here can thrive and so can the professionals who support them.

If you’re an employer looking to secure the best finance talent, or a candidate ready to take the next step in your finance career, we’re here to help. Let’s have a conversation.

By Danielle Holly, Director