According to the IPA’s Census for 2024, the overall percentage of people from an ethnic minority background in c-suite positions at agencies has fallen for the second consecutive year.

People from non-white backgrounds accounted for 10.5% of c-suite employees last year, down from 11% in 2023 and 11.2% in 2022. The 2022 figure was however a marked increase from 2021 (7.1%).

This two-year decline has correlated with a significant increase in the ethnicity pay gap, which has risen from 21.6% to 31% year-on-year,  with media agencies reporting higher ethnicity pay gaps (32.7%) compared to creative and non-media agencies (26.5%).

“This year’s census findings show that there continues to be a lack of progress in terms of the progression and remuneration of ethnically diverse talent,” IPA director of diversity and inclusion, Leila Siddiqui said.

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“The pay gap is one of the measures we can use to tell us whether or not the efforts we are making in this area are having a tangible impact. It may be that extra attention needs to be given to the areas of fair pay, ensuring equal opportunity and reward for all.”

There was however some positive news for the representation of women, who now account for 39.9% of c-suite roles compared to 37.9% last year.

Calling these latter figures “welcome news”, IPA director-general Paul Bainsfair added: “We are, however, seeing that there are areas where more focus could be applied to improve the diversity and inclusivity of our business; particularly with regard to ensuring the progression of people from non-white backgrounds and women up the ladder, which will in turn help to reduce the ethnicity and gender pay gaps.”