Lunchtime Links: Another 53,000 financial services jobs in London this year?

Recruitment firm Astbury Marsden appears to have leapt on Morgan McKinley's bandwagon and begun making predictions about the City job market.

According to a report mentioned in today's Financial Times, Astbury Marsden is predicting that there will be 53,000 financial services vacancies in London this year, up on the 42,000 alleged vacancies of last year (a figure which appears to have come from Morgan McKinley).

While this may sound a little optimistic to anyone struggling to find a job, it's worth bearing in mind that 53,000 includes staff turnover. The CEBR estimates that 'City employment' stands at around 305,000. Disregarding any increases in headcount, Astbury Marsden's estimate would therefore imply a 17% rate of staff turnover, which isn't entirely unreasonable.

If you're attempting unsuccessfully to find a job in the front office, you can also console yourself with the thought that this isn't necessarily where the hiring is happening. Astbury Marsden says the hottest hiring areas are for 'risk experts,' business analysts and project managers.

Hedge fund manager has retired aged 38. (Financial News)

UBS will be paying 'market orientated compensation' to attract and retain people. (Bloomberg)

Gruebel is optimistic about UBS. (Bloomberg)

Former co-head of Goldman's special situations team is setting up his own distressed investment fund. (Financial News)

BarCap is hiring Peter Bisztyga, top rated utilities analyst from Liberum. (Financial News)

Man who unearthed Madoff has had NO job offers. (NY Observer)

How to meet investment bankers. (Wall Street Oasis)

A Labour victory would be best for banks. (Telegraph)

Special underwear is now available for men who spend their lives hunched over desks in 'high stress' jobs. (Reuters)