Privacy Statement

 

Starks Consulting Ltd (SCL) is a UK research and consultancy company. We are committed to protecting the personal data of research participants, clients and other individuals whose information we process.

We work to strict professional, ethical and data security standards. Our research is conducted transparently, is not used to sell or promote products, and responses are treated as confidential unless individuals have explicitly agreed to be identified.

​

SCL processes personal data in line with UK GDPR principles: lawfully, fairly and transparently; for clear research purposes; using only relevant data; retaining it only as long as necessary; and protecting it through appropriate security measures.

 

Our research invitations and requests

If we invite individuals to take part in research, we do so only where there is a valid basis to contact them, such as:

• an organisation has permission to share details for research purposes

• the individual has a relevant relationship with our client

• contact details are publicly available for legitimate research use

• the individual has previously agreed to be contacted about future research

What kinds of personal information do we collect and how?

We collect personal information only where needed to invite people to research, manage participation, conduct research activities, and, where consent has been given, validate responses.

• invite participation in surveys, interviews, focus groups, case studies, seminars or workshops

• confirm arrangements for agreed research activities

• carry out research and, where permitted, follow up to validate responses

The information collected may include contact details, demographic information, professional details, opinions shared during research, and, for online surveys, technical data such as IP address and basic usage metrics. Where relevant and lawful, we may also collect limited special category data.

Personally identifiable information collected for research is retained only for as long as necessary and, unless stated otherwise at the point of collection, typically for no longer than six months after project completion.

 

How we use information

We use personal information to carry out social research for clients and to report findings that help inform decisions about services, products or public policy. We do not sell, market or promote products or services.

• responses are usually combined with those of other participants and reported anonymously

• data may be analysed in aggregate to identify patterns across groups

• we may re-contact participants only where they have agreed to this

• we do not intentionally disclose identifiable research responses unless required by law or expressly agreed

Data received directly or from third parties is used only for the stated research purpose, stored securely, retained only as long as needed, and securely deleted when no longer required. Personal data is not transferred outside the EEA unless appropriate safeguards are in place.

 

Security

We apply appropriate technical, organisational and physical safeguards to protect personal data from loss, misuse, unauthorised access or alteration, and we review our privacy and security arrangements regularly.

Access to personal data is restricted to authorised personnel and approved partners who need it for legitimate business purposes.

 

How do we ensure individual’s data rights are met?

Participation in our research is always voluntary. We handle personal data in line with individuals’ rights under data protection law, including rights to access, correct, restrict, object to or request deletion of data where applicable.

To exercise your data rights or raise a concern, please contact our Data Protection Officer at louise@starksconsulting.co.uk. If you remain dissatisfied, you may contact the UK Information Commissioner’s Office.

Starks Consulting Ltd is registered to hold data under the Data Protection Act - our registration number is A8762269