As 2025 comes to a close, it’s clear that the private client tax market has been one of the most dynamic and resilient areas within the UK’s professional services landscape. For firms, advisers, and recruiters alike, this year has delivered a rare combination of regulatory change, increased client demand and sustained growth — all of which have reshaped hiring priorities and team structures across the industry.
Below is a look back at what defined the market in 2025, and why private client tax has remained such a compelling space for talent.
A Year Dominated by Legislative Change
Few years in recent memory have seen as much regulatory disruption as 2025. The most transformative development was the abolition of the non-dom regime, which triggered widespread restructuring among high-net-worth individuals with international footprints. This single policy shift created:
A surge in advisory work
A spike in demand for cross-border tax expertise
Increased pressure on teams handling trusts, IHT, remittance planning and offshore structures
For many firms, the volume and urgency of client work significantly outpaced internal capacity, prompting one of the busiest hiring periods in the private client tax market for over a decade.
Sustained Demand and Scaling of Teams
Across the Big 4, mid-tier firms, private banks and specialist boutiques, team expansion became a defining theme of 2025. The activity wasn’t confined to one level — demand spanned almost every grade:
Managers and Senior Managers were the most sought-after, with firms looking for advisers who could handle complex cases and lead client relationships.
Directors and future Partners were recruited to develop niche offerings, strengthen advisory capabilities and meet increased client expectations.
Assistant and Senior levels saw consistent recruitment to support the heavy compliance cycle and rising advisory pipeline.
The scarcity of experienced advisers meant firms had to compete hard for talent, often accelerating progression paths, increasing salary bands and offering more flexible working arrangements.
Boutiques and Mid-Tier Firms Come Into Their Own
One of the standout trends of 2025 was the performance of boutique and mid-tier private client firms. Many enjoyed strong growth as clients sought more personalised service, specialist technical knowledge, and continuity in adviser relationships.
These firms benefited from:
Growing demand for bespoke IHT and succession planning
Increased advisory needs from internationally mobile clients
A desire among candidates for “human-scale” environments, often with clearer promotion prospects
The result was a highly active recruitment cycle across firms that traditionally experience more measured hiring patterns.
Challenges in the Hiring Landscape
Despite strong market activity, 2025 wasn’t without challenges:
Acute talent shortages, especially at the AM, Manager and Senior Manager grades
Longer hiring processes, as firms competed for the same limited pool of experienced specialists
Candidate expectations around hybrid working, which remained a decisive factor in choosing between offers
Pressure on firms to retain top performers, who were frequently approached by recruiters as demand peaked
These challenges, however, also created opportunities for strategic team-building and retention initiatives.
A Positive Outlook Going into 2026
Overall, 2025 proved that private client tax remains one of the most resilient and opportunity-rich areas of the UK tax market. Despite regulatory upheaval and intense competition for talent, the sector has continued to thrive thanks to:
Ongoing complexity in the personal tax landscape
Strong financial performance of advisory firms
Increasing demand from high-net-worth and internationally mobile clients
A growing recognition of the value of expert, forward-looking tax advice
For recruiters, advisers, and firms alike, 2025 has been a year that reinforced the strategic importance of private client tax and set the stage for continued hiring momentum in 2026.
