Following the Black Lives Matter movement and calls for greater diversity and inclusion across the industry, event and visual communication association Evcom announced new commitments to diversity and inclusion.

The commitments include offering free membership to agencies led by black individuals or teams, and to black freelancers until the end of 2021, holding two workshops a year for young diverse people, setting their live events in accessible venues, and inviting sing language interpreters to the annual EVCOMference to facilitate deaf people.

EVCOM has also pledged to only work with venues and suppliers that have strong CSR credentials and that share a commitment to sustainable events, and put together a board that is representative of UK creative talent, including both ethnic minorities, disabled individuals and the LGBT community.

This year will be the first time Evcom runs the Focus Award, which seeks to find and nurture young black, indigenous and people of colour filmmakers by offering them a chance to meet professionals from the corporate sector and receive mentoring.