Have you ever considered relocating from London to the South West, like many thousands of people do each year? Bristol, a vibrant city known for its cultural diversity, is consistently rated as one of the best places to live and work in the UK. Not only does it have a stream of highly skilled graduates coming out of local universities, but it is also a hub for experienced finance and accounting professionals.
Marks Sattin recently opened a new office in Bristol, surrounded by amenities and attractions, and we are excited to work with and help the best finance and accounting talent meet great companies. Here’s why Bristol is one of the best places outside of London to consider for the next step in your accountancy and finance career.
Bristol is a fintech hub
The Kalifa Review of UK Fintech, which was released in 2021, identified ten fintech "clusters" throughout the country that are generating high-growth fintechs and have a significant potential for growth. In this report, Bristol and Bath were identified as emerging fintech clusters with expertise in the business banking and insurtech subsectors.
A Director at FinTech West, Stuart Harrison emphasises the advantages of Bristol and Bath in terms of technological innovation, expertise, knowledge, collaborative culture, and tech talent. “Throw a significant financial services base into the pot with close proximity to London, and it’s not hard to see why fintech in the Bristol and Bath cluster is booming,” he says.
Exciting entry-level opportunities
There is a wealth of FinTech talent in Bristol and Bath, supported by world-class universities and an established workforce of almost 61,000 individuals employed by the financial services and FinTech industries. Bristol has one of the best records in the UK for graduate employment; it is placed joint 7th in the UK and joint 49th globally for graduate employability according to QS Graduate Employability Rankings, 2022.
If you are looking for an entry-level finance job after graduation, and you are not prepared for the hustle and bustle of London, Bristol is a great option. Having also been ranked the best place to live outside of London if you are under 26, many finance graduates choose to stay in the city and surrounding areas to grow their careers.
A highly collaborative and culturally diverse place
Another great aspect of living and working in Bristol is the true cultural diversity. Bristol's various neighbourhoods, which are home to residents from more than 180 nations, 45 religions, and 91 languages, reflect the city's multicultural nature.
Additionally, it is a collaborative region, where people from all industries come together to boost the economy. Working together across several sectors, R&D, academia, business, and the public sector has made Bristol and Bath the most productive tech cluster in the UK. By working more collaboratively, professionals can advance their accountancy or finance careers more rapidly, enabling them to gain new skills and expertise to add to their CVs.
Explore finance and accounting jobs in Bristol
Bristol’s workforce has significant expertise, with over 33,500 people employed in the professional services sector, making up 11% of the total workforce. The creative, media, technology, aerospace, and engineering sectors are the foundation of Bristol's modern, growing economy. Outside of London, Bristol has the strongest digital ecosystem in the UK, and it serves as a breeding ground for finance and accounting professionals looking to progress their careers.
London has traditionally dominated the UK's financial scene; however, Bristol really is a disruptor. If you are looking for your next accounting or finance job, or you are looking to relocate to the South West, browse our available jobs in Bristol. Alternatively, contact Craig, who recruits within the senior finance and accounting markets in Bristol and the surrounding areas.
