Escrow agents in the UK don’t need specific licensing, but most are regulated anyway - because they also operate as solicitors, trustees, payment service providers, or banks.
Being an escrow agent in the UK is not itself a regulated activity. However, most providers are regulated because they perform related activities - such as legal, trustee, banking, or payment services - and thus fall under regulatory oversight through those roles.
Private escrow accounts provide security, trust and transparency to ongoing or ad-hoc payment requirements.
Third-Party Managed Accounts (TPMA's) are a convenient way to manage complex, high-value or even routine payment operations.