Representation alone isn’t the finish line. While ethnic diversity is growing in the UK events industry, we still have a long way to go before it’s truly inclusive.
According to the Live Recruitment Diversity Report 2025, 25.1% of professionals in the UK events industry identify as ethnically diverse - a figure that’s higher than in many sectors, including education (16.2%) and construction (5.4%). At first glance, this suggests real progress in representation. However, a closer examination of the data reveals a more troubling reality: professionals from ethnically diverse backgrounds are underrepresented in senior roles and consistently earn less than their White counterparts.
The report indicates that White/Caucasian professionals earn, on average, £3,400 more than their ethnically diverse peers — a gap that persists across all seniority levels. Ethnically diverse professionals also report lower desired salaries, likely influenced by lived experiences and prior undervaluation. These disparities reflect a broader trend in the UK. The government-backed Race in the Workplace review by Baroness McGregor-Smith found that while 1 in 8 working-age individuals in the UK belong to an ethnic minority background, only 1 in 16 holds a top management position.
Barriers range from a lack of visible role models and informal sponsorship to biases in promotion decisions and assumptions about “fit.” Inclusion isn’tjust about how many individuals from underrepresented backgrounds are in the room — it’s about whether they are supported to lead, grow, and thrive.
Ethnic diversity at the entry level is only the beginning. If we want genuine inclusion in the events industry, we need to actively invest in progression pathways, monitor ethnicity pay gaps, and embed accountability at the top. Because representation without equity is not progress — it’s performance.
"It’s not about counting diverse faces — it’s about creating space for them to lead. That’s the difference between tokenism and transformation." James Walton, Founder, Live Recruitment
Inclusion means backing representation with resources, mentorship, and meaningful pathways to the top.