• April 1, 2026

Diversity improves, but pay and progression still lag in events sector

Diversity improves, but pay and progression still lag in events sector

Diversity improves, but pay and progression still lag in events sector 1024 680 micebook.

The UK events industry is becoming more diverse, but deep-rooted inequalities around pay, progression and opportunity remain firmly in place, according to the full 2026 Diversity Report from Live Recruitment.

The findings build on an earlier snapshot released around International Women’s Day, which highlighted that women continue to dominate the workforce while earning less than male counterparts.

Now, with the full report published, a broader picture has emerged, revealing that the challenges go beyond gender alone.

Diversity gains not translating into equality

While the industry is more diverse than ever, the report suggests representation is not yet translating into equal outcomes.

Ethnically diverse professionals now account for 25.4% of the workforce, higher than the UK average, yet disparities in pay and career progression remain consistent across all sectors.

Similarly, while women make up most of the workforce, they remain underrepresented at senior level, reinforcing concerns about a persistent leadership gap.

Pay gaps deepen when factors combine

One of the most striking findings is how pay inequality intensifies when gender and ethnicity intersect. On average, male event professionals earn around £4,000 more than female counterparts, while White professionals earn more than ethnically diverse colleagues.

When these factors combine, the disparity becomes even more pronounced, with White men the highest earners and ethnically diverse women the lowest paid group across the industry.

Age shift raises talent pipeline concerns

Alongside diversity challenges, the report points to a shifting workforce demographic. The proportion of younger professionals aged 18–31 has declined, while the 32–45 age group now dominates, suggesting a gradual ageing of the workforce.

This trend could present longer-term challenges for an industry already grappling with talent shortages, particularly if fewer early-career professionals are entering or staying in the sector.

Salary expectations continue to outpace reality

The data also reveals ongoing pressure around pay, with average salaries still falling short of expectations. While the gap between current and desired salary may appear relatively small overall, it becomes more significant when broken down by gender, ethnicity and sector.

This reinforces wider concerns around retention, progression and how the industry values its talent.

A broader lens on inclusion

New for 2026, the Event Industry Demographic Insights section provides additional context around socio- economic background. The data shows that 29.9% of respondents attended university and had parents who also did so, while 42% were the first in their family to attend university.

This is significantly higher than UK- wide benchmarks, where the proportion of individuals attending university with graduate parents is considerably higher. This suggests that the events industry may offer stronger levels of social mobility than some other sectors, attracting talent from a broader range of educational backgrounds.

Moving the conversation forward

Taken together, the findings suggest that while the industry has made progress in attracting a more diverse workforce, meaningful inclusion remains a work in progress.

As last month’s IWD-focused snapshot made clear, gender imbalance and pay disparity are still key issues. Despite these challenges, Laura Kelly, managing director of Live Recruitment said “the report highlights that the events industry demonstrates comparatively strong representation in several areas when viewed alongside other sectors. Increasing industry awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion – alongside greater transparency in reporting – suggests positive momentum for future progress.”

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