The Brixton Finishing School surveyed current students and graduate alumni of its ADacdemy, a free 10-week learning experience working to find solutions to the industry’s diversity challenges. The survey of 100 students and graduates found that 71% of students value the diversity of the organisation’s current employees., rising to 76% of non-white respondents.

Students were also found to value strong training programmes with 67% stating it is something they look for in an employer, while a competitive salary was valued by 58% of respondents.  

Ally Owen, Brixton Finishing School founder, says, “Adland can’t stop talking about the talent crunch – and our alumni are giving the clearest sign yet that a diverse workforce is what will win through. To all the organisations doing the hard graft around this, you’re winning, to any of the others who still treat diversity as a tick-box exercise and demonstrate performative practises, the next generation of talent have given their verdict on you.”

The research also looked at the current state of diversity for people at the start of their career in creative communications. It found that 39% of non-white respondents have experienced racial discrimination while in an entry-level position. A further 45% of all respondents said they have witnessed discrimination based on race in the industry.

“It is critical that we address the experiences of entry-level talent in their early years in the industry. The fact that more than half of those entering the industry is witnessing or directly experiencing discrimination is unacceptable,” adds Owen