There has been no increase in the number of black and minority ethnic CEOs in the charity sector, with the overall number having fallen since figures reported in 2008.

According to ACEVO’s annual Pay and Equalities Survey, diversity among charity CEOs is still rare and has even fallen since ACEVO published its first set of ethnicity data back in 2008, when 4.2 per cent of respondents reported being from a BAME background. In this year’s survey the figure was just 3 per cent.

ACEVO said the lack of improvement in racial diversity over the last decade “stands in start contrast” to the improvement of number of female CEOs who responded to the survey.

For the second year in a row, female CEOs outnumbered men and there was a significant reduction in the gender pay gap – down to 3.8 per cent from 11.6 per cent. There was also no reported disability pay gap in this year’s survey.

Despite positive news with regards to a decrease in pay gaps, ACEVO said it “cautions against complacency”, as it is currently “unclear” as to why the gaps have decreased.

ACEVO chief executive Vicky Browning said the good that is achieved by the sector “must not be allowed to eclipse the parts of the sector which require improvement”.

“The problem of diversity is well documented and well discussed but that has not brought change. The sector must now collectively prioritise action to break down the barriers and bias that exist within the voluntary sector. This is why ACEVO is working with sector leaders to develop concrete actions that can be championed across civil society,” she said.

“If action is not taken now, we will be commenting on the same figures in 2028 as we were in 2008.”

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