2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide to Us

We collect information that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Contact us through our website: Name, email address, phone number, organization name, and details about your inquiry or project

• Subscribe to our newsletter: Email address and preferences

• Engage our services: Business contact information, organizational details, and information relevant to communications consulting engagements

• Communicate with us: Email correspondence, phone conversations, and meeting notes

2.2 Information Automatically Collected

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• Technical information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device information

• Usage data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, referring website

• Cookies and similar technologies: See our Cookie Policy below

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from:

• Public sources: Media coverage, company websites, professional networking sites

• Business partners: When you're referred to us by a trusted partner or associate

• Professional databases: Industry directories and business information services

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

3.1 Provide Our Services

• Respond to your inquiries and requests

• Deliver communications consulting, crisis management, and strategic advisory services

• Manage client relationships and project delivery

• Provide interim communications leadership and support

3.2 Communicate with You

• Send responses to your contact form submissions

• Provide updates on projects and engagements

• Share relevant insights, articles, and thought leadership (with your consent)

• Send administrative information about our services

3.3 Improve Our Services

• Analyze website usage to improve user experience

• Understand client needs and preferences

• Develop new services and offerings

• Conduct research and analysis

3.4 Legal and Security Purposes

• Comply with legal obligations and regulatory requirements

• Protect against fraud, security threats, and illegal activity

• Enforce our terms of service and other agreements

• Protect the rights, property, and safety of Meridian Partners, our clients, and others

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and UK, we process your personal data based on:

• Consent: When you provide explicit consent (e.g., newsletter subscription)

• Contract: When processing is necessary to fulfill our service agreement with you

• Legitimate interests: When we have a legitimate business interest (e.g., improving our services, direct marketing to existing clients)

• Legal obligation: When required by law

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

5.1 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in:

• Website hosting and maintenance

• Email delivery and marketing automation

• Data analytics and website performance

• Cloud storage and data management

• Payment processing (if applicable)

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

5.2 Professional Network

With your explicit consent, we may share relevant information with:

• Specialist consultants within our network when their expertise is required for your project

• Industry partners when appropriate for service delivery

5.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests

• Enforce our terms and conditions

• Protect the rights, property, or safety of Meridian Partners, our clients, or others

• Prevent fraud or security threats

5.4 Business Transfers

If Meridian Partners is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

6. International Data Transfers

Meridian Partners is based in the United Kingdom. If you are accessing our services from outside the UK, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the UK or other countries where our service providers operate.

We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers, including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission

• Adequacy decisions recognizing equivalent data protection standards

• Other legally approved transfer mechanisms

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Retention periods:

• Contact form inquiries: 2 years from last contact (unless you become a client)

• Client information: 7 years after engagement ends (for professional and legal requirements)

• Newsletter subscribers: Until you unsubscribe

• Website analytics: 26 months

• Marketing data: 3 years from last interaction

After these periods, we will securely delete or anonymize your information.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

8.1 Rights Under GDPR (UK/EEA Users)

• Right to access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you

• Right to rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data

• Right to erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten")

• Right to restrict processing: Request limitation on how we use your data

• Right to data portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format

• Right to object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing

• Right to withdraw consent: Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)

• Right to lodge a complaint: File a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

8.2 Rights Under CCPA (California Users)

• Right to know what personal information is collected, used, and shared

• Right to delete personal information

• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)

• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

8.3 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at:

Email: privacy@meridianpartners.com
Phone: +44 (0) 20 XXXX XXXX
Address: 22 Bluechurch Avenue, London E12 5RU, United Kingdom

We will respond to your request within 30 days (or as required by applicable law).

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

9.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. They help us recognize you, remember your preferences, and improve your experience.

9.2 Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies (Required)

• Enable basic website functionality

• Remember your cookie preferences

• Maintain security and prevent fraud

Analytics Cookies (Optional)

• Understand how visitors use our website

• Measure website performance

• Identify areas for improvement

• We use privacy-focused analytics that do not track personal data

Functionality Cookies (Optional)

• Remember your preferences and settings

• Personalize your experience

Marketing Cookies (Optional)

• Track visitor interaction with our content

• Measure effectiveness of our communications

• Used only with your explicit consent

9.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through:

• Browser settings: Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies

• Our cookie banner: Manage preferences when you first visit our site

• Opt-out tools: Use browser extensions or privacy tools to block tracking

Please note that disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.

10. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption: SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission

• Access controls: Limited access to personal data on a need-to-know basis

• Secure storage: Data stored on secure servers with appropriate safeguards

• Regular audits: Periodic security reviews and updates

• Staff training: All team members trained on data protection responsibilities

• Confidentiality agreements: All consultants and service providers bound by confidentiality

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, services, or resources that are not operated by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

12. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete such information.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date

• Sending an email notification to registered users (for significant changes)

• Displaying a prominent notice on our website

Your continued use of our services after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Meridian Partners
22 Bluechurch Avenue
London E12 5RU
United Kingdom

Email: privacy@meridianpartners.com
Phone: +44 (0) 20 XXXX XXXX
Website: www.meridianpartners.com

Data Protection Officer: [Name/Contact if applicable]

Supervisory Authority (UK/EEA):
Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
Website: www.ico.org.uk
Helpline: 0303 123 1113

15. Specific Provisions by Jurisdiction

15.1 UK and EEA Users

This Privacy Policy complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR). Meridian Partners is the data controller for the personal information we process.

15.2 California Users

This Privacy Policy complies with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). We do not sell personal information. California residents have specific rights outlined in Section 8.2 above.

15.3 Other Jurisdictions

We comply with applicable data protection laws in all jurisdictions where we operate or provide services.

By using our website or services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.