The Future of Security

The Rising Tide of Non-Financial Risk

In a live edition of FinTech Focus TV, hosted by Toby Babb at the FIX EMEA Trading Conference, one of the financial world’s most pressing issues took centre stage—non-financial risk. Joined by PJ Di Giammarino, the Founder and CEO of RegRisk Legal Solutions, this episode delves into the shifting regulatory landscape, the acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI) in compliance, the vital need for industry-wide standards, and the growing importance of operational resilience in global financial markets.

For Harrington Starr, a leading FinTech recruitment firm, this conversation is more than just topical; it signals the critical hiring trends shaping the future of financial services and technology. As clients face an increasingly complex web of regulations and risk considerations, finding the right talent to lead through change is more important than ever.

FinTech Regulatory Careers: A Legacy in Transformation

PJ Di Giammarino’s career in regulatory technology spans more than two decades. Formerly the CEO of technology at Barclays Capital during the formative years of MiFID, PJ has witnessed first-hand the rapid evolution of the financial regulatory landscape. His firm, RegRisk Legal Solutions, helps organisations manage regulatory risk through a concept known as the “single source of truth”—a structured framework that consolidates regulatory obligations across global jurisdictions.

In this episode, PJ reflects on the unexpected career longevity that regulation has provided. What started as a niche domain has now become integral to every major financial institution's strategy. For those seeking FinTech jobs in compliance, technology, or operations, this shift opens a wide array of career paths. From regulatory reporting analysts to heads of operational risk, the demand for expertise in this space continues to grow.

The Expansion of Non-Financial Risk in the Financial Services Sector

One of the most urgent themes PJ addresses is the concept of non-financial risk. Unlike traditional financial risk—which includes market, credit, and prudential risk—non-financial risk encompasses how a business operates. This includes cybersecurity, AI governance, operational resilience, data privacy, and even readiness for technologies like quantum computing.

Regulators around the world are increasingly scrutinising not just what businesses do, but how they do it. As PJ explains, this is leading to a significant change in expectations. Financial services organisations now face the dual challenge of meeting existing standards while preparing for a future of even more complex regulatory requirements.

At Harrington Starr, we’re seeing a surge in hiring demand for roles that didn’t exist a decade ago—cyber resilience leaders, heads of third-party risk, AI governance analysts. These jobs require a unique blend of technical skill, regulatory understanding, and the ability to navigate cross-functional stakeholder environments. Clients need professionals who can assess operational processes through a risk-aware lens.

Operational Resilience: The Core of FinTech Compliance

PJ’s panel at FIX EMEA focused heavily on operational resilience—a topic that’s becoming central to regulatory conversations. With over 50,000 regulatory paragraphs to master for operational resilience across major global jurisdictions, firms are under pressure like never before. Many are struggling to move beyond the bare minimum compliance efforts.

PJ warns of the risks associated with a tick-box mentality. Failing to thoroughly prepare exposes firms to financial penalties, reputational damage, and personal liability for executives. High-profile incidents in recent months involving large sell-side banks have made the consequences of non-compliance all too real.

However, as PJ notes, this challenge presents opportunity. By creating shared standards and aligning internal operations with external regulatory expectations, firms can position themselves as industry leaders. For FinTech businesses seeking to scale or enter new markets, a proactive approach to resilience isn’t just smart—it’s essential.

This is where talent becomes critical. Harrington Starr works with firms across the UK, US, and Europe to identify and recruit professionals who can implement and maintain resilient infrastructures. These include operational risk leads, regulatory transformation specialists, and project managers with deep domain knowledge.

AI and RegTech: The FinTech Tools Changing Compliance

A major highlight of the episode is the role that technology—especially AI and large language models—is playing in transforming the compliance landscape. PJ outlines how his firm is using AI agents to automate and streamline regulatory processes, making it easier for businesses to understand and act on global compliance obligations.

Firms must interpret and harmonise regulations from multiple jurisdictions, including the UK, EU, and US. Without the help of technology, this becomes an impossible task at scale. But with AI, firms can quickly map obligations, compare standards, and assess risk across their global operations.

This wave of RegTech innovation is creating new FinTech jobs that require hybrid skills. Firms want candidates who understand both compliance and technology—those who can help implement AI-powered tools while ensuring they are used responsibly and effectively.

For Harrington Starr, this means building out our recruitment pipelines for roles like regulatory data scientists, AI policy advisors, and technology-driven compliance officers. We’re advising clients to invest in talent that can bridge the gap between regulatory intent and operational execution using technology.

Industry Standards and the FinTech Supply Chain

Beyond technology, PJ is a vocal advocate for the establishment of global standards to help the industry move forward cohesively. At FIX EMEA, he underscored the importance of forums like the FIX Trading Community, where buy-side and sell-side firms come together to establish practical, workable solutions.

The numbers speak volumes—20,000 firms and 40,000 suppliers across Europe alone are affected by these regulatory changes. Coordinating such a large and diverse ecosystem requires alignment on taxonomies, definitions, and best practices. Open-source libraries, standard frameworks, and collaborative industry efforts are all essential.

As PJ states, the winners in this space will be those who work closely with their customers to define what “good” looks like and how to achieve it quickly. This includes not just financial institutions but also their suppliers—law firms, consultancies, and technology vendors—who must all operate on the same wavelength.

At Harrington Starr, our FinTech recruitment services increasingly focus on helping clients build cross-functional teams that include both internal experts and external partners. These teams must be fluent in industry standards, comfortable with regulatory nuance, and capable of executing change across complex, multi-layered environments.

Non-Financial Risk Is Now a Board-Level Priority

One of PJ’s most powerful observations is that non-financial risk is now firmly on the boardroom agenda. Previously siloed in compliance departments, topics like operational resilience and supplier risk are now strategic concerns for CEOs, CFOs, and non-executive directors alike.

As pressures mount, boards are being held accountable for their firms’ preparedness. This shift means that regulatory leadership must scale with the business. It’s no longer enough to be compliant; companies must be demonstrably resilient. That requires strong governance, clear reporting, and the ability to act fast when incidents arise.

For FinTech professionals, this marks a turning point. Roles in compliance and risk management are moving from the periphery to the centre of the business. Harrington Starr is seeing significant growth in demand for senior professionals in governance, risk and compliance (GRC) roles—particularly those who can operate at C-suite and board levels.

We’re also working with firms to update job specifications, redefine success metrics, and ensure that talent strategies reflect the new importance of these functions.

Regulatory Trends and FinTech Talent Strategy for 2025

Looking to the year ahead, PJ shared insights into the initiatives RegRisk Legal Solutions is spearheading in 2025. These include building communities of practice around regulatory reporting, supporting the evolution of MiFID II and III, and enhancing derivatives reporting frameworks.

The guiding objective? To help firms achieve better, faster, cheaper, and safer compliance outcomes. And underpinning all of this is AI—used not only for automation but for benchmarking, forecasting, and decision support.

This is translating into specific hiring needs. Firms need individuals who can translate regulatory change into operational performance. That means analysts who can prove a business case, architects who can align infrastructure to evolving standards, and project leaders who can drive transformation under tight timelines.

For Harrington Starr’s clients, the imperative is to act now. Those who get ahead of the curve—by securing the right FinTech talent—will be better positioned to navigate regulatory shifts, embrace new technology, and deliver shareholder value.

FIX EMEA’s Evolving Role in the FinTech Ecosystem

Toby and PJ closed their discussion by reflecting on the significance of the FIX EMEA Trading Conference. This year’s event featured a broad agenda—from regulatory technology to settlement innovation—and served as a powerful reminder of the industry’s collaborative potential.

Importantly, PJ sees FIX and similar associations evolving beyond networking hubs into centres of standardisation and transformation. By partnering with trade associations and embracing open-source principles, the FinTech industry can move faster, smarter, and more efficiently.

This collaborative ethos also benefits recruitment. Industry participation exposes professionals to new challenges, fosters skill development, and builds stronger leadership pipelines. At Harrington Starr, we encourage our clients and candidates to get involved—because the future of FinTech is being shaped in these rooms.

Conclusion: FinTech Recruitment for the New Regulatory Era

This episode of FinTech Focus TV makes one thing clear: the financial industry is undergoing a seismic shift in how it manages risk, compliance, and resilience. Non-financial risk is no longer a side issue—it’s the heart of strategy, technology, and operations.

For FinTech businesses navigating this transformation, success hinges on securing the right people. Whether you’re hiring a regulatory transformation lead, a cyber resilience expert, or a compliance data scientist, Harrington Starr has the networks, expertise, and insight to deliver.

The future of FinTech regulation is being written today. Make sure your team includes the people who can shape it. Get in touch with Harrington Starr to find out how our FinTech recruitment specialists can support your hiring goals in 2025 and beyond.