Regulatory Affairs – UK Life Sciences Labour Market Trends, March 2026
UK regulatory hiring set for rebound after restructuring-led decline
Key findings include:
- Regulatory affairs hiring fell sharply in 2025, with London down 29.3% as restructuring hit headquarters
- Regional markets proved more resilient, with vacancies declining by just 7.7% and gaining share
- Early 2026 shows recovery, with vacancies up 3.7% in London and 6.9% across the UK
- Hiring diverges at the company level, with Johnson & Johnson up 100%, while GSK falls 53.8% and Novartis 48.1%
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Hiring stabilises after restructuring-led decline
Regulatory affairs hiring across UK life sciences contracted in 2025 as multinational pharmaceutical firms implemented widespread restructuring. London absorbed the majority of cuts, with vacancies falling by 29.3%, reflecting reductions concentrated at headquarters. Across the rest of the UK, hiring proved more resilient, declining by 7.7% while increasing its share of demand.
By early 2026, conditions had begun to stabilise. Vacancies rose by 3.7% in London and 6.9% across the UK in the first two months of the year. The downturn appears to be driven by timing and cost control rather than by weakened demand, leaving the market positioned for recovery.
Regional demand shifts as London begins to recover
London remains the largest hiring market, though its share fell from 49.4% to 42.8% in 2025 as demand shifted towards regional hubs. Early 2026 shows a partial reversal, with London’s share rising to 45.2% as regulatory pipelines rebuild.
The South East continues to strengthen, reaching a 27.4% share, supported by a 183% increase in vacancies driven by Moderna and Cambridge-based biotech firms. Yorkshire nearly doubled its share to 2.5%, following targeted government investment. In the East, stable hiring increased relative share to 14.5%. Biotechnology stands out, with vacancies rising 36.8% and share increasing to 13%.
Regulatory hiring tracks wider sector recovery
Hiring trends across life sciences point to consolidation rather than decline. R&D vacancies fell by 6.4% in 2025, while clinical roles grew by 11.8%, supported by investment and improved trial competitiveness.
Regulatory affairs closely mirrored the wider market, with vacancies down 18.4%, reflecting delayed frameworks and lower submission volumes. Early 2026 signals a shift, with vacancies rising by 6.9% year-on-year. Medical affairs is also rebounding, up 22.9%, indicating renewed launch activity. As regulatory frameworks move into implementation, hiring is beginning to respond, positioning regulatory functions among the first to recover.
Leading firms position for recovery in 2026
Hiring trends diverged sharply across leading firms in 2025. Johnson & Johnson doubled regulatory vacancies (+100%), supported by a £300 million UK investment and increased MHRA engagement. AbbVie expanded by 200%, while Perrigo grew by 83.3%, reflecting resilience in consumer health markets.
In contrast, Novartis reduced hiring by 48.1%, with GSK and AstraZeneca down 53.8% and 33.3% respectively during restructuring phases. Despite this, strong pipelines and continued R&D investment, including an 18% increase at GSK, provide a foundation for recovery as regulatory activity accelerates through 2026.
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