Jane Frost, CEO MRS F Its time to evolve and involve irst, I would like to wish you a happy new year. The year gone has been quite extraordinary, and the ongoing health and economic crises make it difficult to be as optimistic as we would like to be at this time of year. However, there have also been many positive actions amid the upheaval, which we need to recognise and build on. In particular, we need to ramp up our efforts to make this sector a leading example of diversity, inclusion and equality. MRS has embedded many initiatives that are improving representation and opportunities for the various groups that have protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. But our sector, more than any other, cannot become complacent; we must evolve rapidly. As chief executive, my view has always been that the sector that is meant to shed light on people should also reflect them in its own make-up. Some of the largest employers in the industry have signed up to our CEO Pledge and, as it moves into its second year, Im delighted that the pledge is now becoming international in scope. A finding from our latest report on inclusion is that confidence is higher among LGBTQ+ constituents than any other group that falls within the protected characteristics definition. I am sure that the energy and pizzazz of MRS Pride has made a significant contribution to this sense of vigorous momentum. You can find the report at mrs.org.uk/inclusion. Our research also identified the need to give a voice within the research sector to ethnic minorities. MRS already works to a target of 50% representation for women speakers at our events; now we have added that 15% of speakers must be from ethnic minority groups. The MRS Apprenticeship scheme will improve the sectors reach into less traditional areas of market research recruitment. Its an initiative born of MRS and, frankly, is the reason the Society exists to turn the mirror inwards onto our sector and ensure it is transforming. Last year, our first gender-balanced Main Board created the MRS Diversity, Inclusion & Equality Council. It has a remit to get things done quickly. The Black Lives Matter movement underlined the need for urgent action. If the tumultuous events of last year have taught us anything, its that people are frustrated by slow-moving institutions that fail to evolve. MRS and the research sector will not be one of them. Sector and MRS news Diversity, Inclusion & Equality Council A new cross-sector group, featuring representatives from networks such as CORe, WIRe and MRSpride, as well as the client and agency world, has been formed. The MRS Diversity, Inclusion & Equality Council aims to: build awareness of the ongoing work that is already happening; make connections between people and organisations at the forefront of change; and guide the research industry on issues of representation, equality and accountability. See mrs.org.uk Research guidance MRS continues to issue new guidance interpreting the Covid-19 restrictions in the UK, specifying the implications for face-to-face data collection in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. See mrs.org.uk 57