'Eton Rifles' still the top guns of the creative industry

The British class system is still alive and kicking in the creative industries, with where an individual went to school and their level confidence still affecting how peers see each other and discrimination is widespread, reinforcing The Jam’s classic line from Eton Rifles “what chance have you got against a tie and a crest”.

So says a damning new report by UK diversity and inclusion social enterprise Creative Access in association with marketing and PR agency FleishmanHillard, which reveals that despite the industry’s best efforts to level-up, the

In fact, nearly three-quarters (70%) of those who work in the sector believe that ‘soft’ social identifiers of class still pervade the business.

The findings follow a 2022 report by Sage Journals which revealed that the proportion of working-class actors, musicians and writers has shrunk by half from the 1970s to 2022, despite 48% of the UK identifying as working class the year prior, in 2021, according to Gov.uk.

Meanwhile, a 2023 Creative Access study found that eight out of ten people working in the sector feel they must change their accents at work to be taken more seriously.

Respondents to this year’s Creative Access study were united in placing class representation at senior level as the most urgent topic for employers to address (two in three). However, opinions on the severity of this issue differed between class groups. Some 73% of working-class respondents identify a lack of senior working-class representation, and only 46% of upper middle-class respondents agree.

One thorny issue is the fact that unpaid internships are still common within the creative industries, with those who identify as working or middle/lower-middle class saying those from upper-class backgrounds benefit the most.

Research also reveals a stark contrast in perceptions regarding social mobility, with 44% of upper/upper-middle-class respondents believing social mobility in the UK is easier than ever, and only 16% of working-class respondents sharing this view.

Black (75%), mixed or multiple ethnic groups (78%) and Asian (64%) respondents are more inclined to observe class disparities in industry access compared to white respondents (61%).

Without an inclusive culture in the workplace, working-class individuals do not have the support or resources to thrive, the report maintains, with barriers to career progression including discrimination and unequal reward: 88% of respondents said discrimination based on class is an issue in the UK.

In addition, only one in three working-class respondents think they are rewarded equally for their work and contributions (in comparison 67% of upper-class people believe working class people are equally rewarded).

The findings reveal a disparity between working-class and upper-class individuals’ opinions of the characteristics that indicate class and the state of social mobility today.

Working-class respondents were more than twice as likely (68%) to rank where someone went to school as an indicator of class, compared to upper/upper middle-class respondents (28%). Upper/upper middle-class respondents also reported ‘confidence/how someone presents themselves’ higher than working class people.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies in 2023 found that moving up the social ladder in Britain has become harder than at any point in more than half a century for children born into poor households. For example, those growing up in the North of England and the Midlands, as well as those from a minority ethnic background, find it a lot harder than others to become wealthier than their parents.

Creative Access chief executive Bibi Hilton said: “Class is the one area where we really aren’t making progress in the creative industries, the research proves that access to this space is largely still based on contacts and networks which tend to be in close reach for the privileged.

“Our research with FleishmanHillard UK, shines a light on these inequities and hopefully kickstarts conversation and action around the stark lack of working-class representation in senior positions. It’s worrying that soft social identifiers are still influencing class prejudice and biases.

“But as the creative world evolves, we’re urging employers to commit to breaking down these barriers, whether it be levelling up their inclusive hiring or supporting working class staff with access to career support and mentors.”

FleishmanHillard senior partner and socioeconomic steering group lead Ben Levine added: “The disparity in opinion between working class and upper-class individuals when it comes to socioeconomic diversity in the creative industries should give us all pause for thought. If we’re not aware of the challenges and barriers facing certain communities in our industry then progress will continue to be slow.

“This report represents an opportunity to start some of these conversations within our businesses and teams, and begin the work of understanding where and how we can do better.

“It’s not a challenge that is unique to any individual organisation or even sector but in the creative industries we are uniquely positioned when it comes to shaping culture and bringing fresh perspectives to old challenges. Within our agency we will be looking again at the culture we create, the ways we assess and progress talent and how we create safe space for colleagues from all backgrounds to share their experiences and insights.”