The Inclusion Group, founded in April 2020 by the Advertising Association, the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising and Isba, said that the census would take place on 10th March.

Findings of the survey will be analysed and recorded by Kantar.

The census, which will run as a short, confidential online questionnaire, will aim to provide a comprehensive record of the makeup of the advertising industry’s workforce to help benchmark future progress on diversity and inclusion.

An action plan on how to boost diversity will be drawn up following the completion of the census, and the plan is expected to be launched at an industry summit this summer.

Kathryn Jacob, chair of the Inclusion Group, said: “We know there is a systemic problem to tackle in our industry, that of fully inclusive representation in our workforce.

“To make the most meaningful change, we must set a benchmark to measure and track progress against. This census is a vital starting point for everyone to help build an industry that truly represents the world we live in today.”