Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Privacy Policy

Altongate Consulting Limited ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website www.altongate.co.uk or engage with our professional services.

This policy complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Altongate Consulting Limited is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) under registration number ZA123456.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect, store, and use the following categories of personal information about you:

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Contact Information: Name, business address, email address, telephone number, job title, and company name when you enquire about our services, request information, or engage us professionally.
• Professional Information: Details about your organisation, project requirements, technical specifications, and professional credentials when relevant to service delivery.
• Correspondence: Records of communications with us via email, telephone, post, or through our website contact forms.
• Career Applications: CV, covering letter, educational qualifications, employment history, references, and other information you provide when applying for positions with Altongate.
• Marketing Preferences: Your preferences for receiving marketing communications and details about how you engage with our communications.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Technical Data: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, time zone setting, browser plug-in types and versions, and device information.
• Usage Data: Information about how you use our website, including pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, and the page you visited before navigating to our website.
• Analytics Data: We use Google Analytics and similar services to understand how visitors interact with our website. This helps us improve user experience and service delivery.
• Cookie Data: Information collected through cookies and similar tracking technologies. Please see our Cookie Policy below for detailed information.

1.3 Information From Third Parties

• Professional references and background verification information when you apply for employment or consultancy positions.
• Information from publicly available sources such as Companies House, professional networking sites (LinkedIn), and industry directories.
• Information from clients and partners during the course of project delivery, which may include contact details of project stakeholders.

2. How We Use Your Personal Information

We process your personal information for the following purposes, based on the legal grounds specified:

Purpose	Legal Basis
To respond to your enquiries and provide information about our services	Legitimate interests (to develop our business and inform clients about our services)
To deliver professional consultancy services under contract	Performance of contract
To process employment applications and conduct recruitment activities	Legitimate interests (to recruit suitable personnel) and legal obligation (employment law compliance)
To send marketing communications about our services, events, and insights	Consent (for electronic marketing) or legitimate interests (for existing clients)
To maintain and improve our website functionality	Legitimate interests (to keep our website secure and improve user experience)
To comply with legal and regulatory obligations	Legal obligation

2.1 Marketing Communications

We may send you marketing communications about our services, industry insights, events, and publications where:

• You have requested information from us or engaged our services, and we believe our communications are relevant to your professional interests;
• You have explicitly consented to receive marketing communications; or
• You attend our events or engage with our thought leadership content.

You have the right to opt out of marketing communications at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any email or by contacting us directly.

3. Sharing Your Personal Information

We may share your personal information with the following categories of recipients:

3.1 Service Providers

We engage trusted third-party service providers to support our business operations, including:

• IT infrastructure and cloud hosting providers (data centres located within the UK and EEA)
• Email marketing and communications platforms
• Website analytics and performance monitoring services
• Professional advisors including lawyers, accountants, and auditors
• Recruitment agencies and background verification services

All service providers are required to maintain appropriate security measures and process data only in accordance with our instructions.

3.2 Professional Relationships

• Clients: Where necessary to deliver services under contract, we may share relevant project information with clients and their designated representatives.
• Project Partners: When working on collaborative projects, we may share information with partner consultancies, contractors, and professional advisors as necessary for project delivery.
• Regulatory Bodies: We may share information with professional regulatory bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) as required for professional accreditation and compliance.

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your personal information where required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, including:

• Responding to court orders, subpoenas, or legal proceedings
• Complying with regulatory investigations or requests from competent authorities
• Protecting our legal rights, property, or safety, or that of others
• Detecting, preventing, or addressing fraud, security, or technical issues

3.4 Business Transfers

If Altongate undergoes a business transition such as a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or prominent notice on our website of any such change in ownership or control.

4. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

Under UK data protection law, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:

4.1 Right of Access

You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you, along with information about how we process it. We will respond to such requests within one month, though this may be extended by two months for complex requests.

4.2 Right to Rectification

You may request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information we hold about you. We will respond within one month and will notify any third parties with whom we have shared your data of the corrections where appropriate.

4.3 Right to Erasure

In certain circumstances, you have the right to request deletion of your personal information, including where:

• The data is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected;
• You withdraw consent (where processing was based on consent);
• You object to processing and there are no overriding legitimate grounds;
• The data has been unlawfully processed; or
• Erasure is necessary to comply with a legal obligation.

However, this right is not absolute. We may need to retain certain information for legal, regulatory, or legitimate business purposes.

4.4 Right to Restrict Processing

You have the right to request that we restrict processing of your personal information in certain circumstances, such as when you contest the accuracy of the data or object to processing.

4.5 Right to Data Portability

Where processing is based on consent or contract and is carried out by automated means, you have the right to receive your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, and to transmit that data to another controller.

4.6 Right to Object

You have the right to object to processing of your personal information where we rely on legitimate interests as the legal basis. You also have an absolute right to object to processing for direct marketing purposes at any time.

4.7 Rights Related to Automated Decision Making

We do not use automated decision-making or profiling in ways that produce legal or similarly significant effects. Should this change, we will update this policy and inform you accordingly.

4.8 Right to Withdraw Consent

Where we process your personal information based on consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. This will not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.

4.9 Right to Lodge a Complaint

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe we have not handled your personal information appropriately:

5. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including to satisfy legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.

Specific retention periods include:

• Client and project data: Retained for the duration of the professional relationship and for 7 years thereafter to comply with professional indemnity insurance requirements and limitation periods for legal claims.
• Employment applications: Unsuccessful applications are retained for 12 months after the recruitment process concludes, unless you consent to remain in our talent pool.
• Marketing communications data: Retained until you opt out or withdraw consent, after which your details are suppressed to prevent further contact.
• Website analytics data: Anonymised analytics data is retained for up to 26 months; identifiable IP address data is anonymised after 7 days.
• Financial records: Retained for 7 years in accordance with HMRC requirements.

When determining retention periods, we consider the nature and sensitivity of the data, the potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure, the purposes for which we process the data, whether those purposes can be achieved through other means, and applicable legal requirements.

6. International Transfers

Altongate primarily processes personal information within the United Kingdom. Where we engage service providers located outside the UK or European Economic Area (EEA), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the UK Information Commissioner's Office;
• UK GDPR adequacy decisions recognising that certain countries provide adequate data protection; or
• Other legally recognised transfer mechanisms.

You may request further information about the safeguards we use for international transfers by contacting our Data Protection Officer.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised or unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction, or damage. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols;
• Regular security assessments and penetration testing of our IT infrastructure;
• Access controls ensuring that personal information is accessible only to authorised personnel who require it for their role;
• Employee training on data protection and information security obligations;
• Incident response procedures to address potential data breaches promptly;
• Regular backups and disaster recovery procedures;
• Secure disposal procedures for physical and electronic records; and
• Contractual obligations requiring service providers to implement equivalent security measures.

While we take appropriate steps to protect your information, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but will notify you and the ICO of any data breach where required by law.

Cookie Policy

8. Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to distinguish you from other users, improve your experience, and analyse how our website is used. A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that we store on your browser or device.

8.1 Types of Cookies We Use

Cookie Type	Purpose	Duration
Strictly Necessary	Essential for website operation, security, and access to secure areas. These cannot be disabled.	Session / Persistent
Performance	Collect information about how visitors use our website (e.g., pages visited, time spent). Used via Google Analytics to improve website performance.	Up to 26 months
Functionality	Remember your preferences and choices (e.g., language, region) to provide enhanced features.	Up to 12 months
Targeting	Track your browsing to show relevant advertisements and measure campaign effectiveness. May be set by third-party advertising networks.	Up to 12 months

8.2 Third-Party Cookies

We use the following third-party services that may place cookies on your device:

• Google Analytics: To understand website usage and improve user experience. Google's privacy policy is available at www.google.com/policies/privacy/
• LinkedIn Insight Tag: To measure the effectiveness of our LinkedIn advertising and gain insights into our website visitors.
• Social Media Plugins: Buttons and widgets from LinkedIn, Twitter, and other platforms that may track your interactions.

8.3 Managing Cookies

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through browser settings. You can:

• View what cookies are stored and delete them individually;
• Block third-party cookies;
• Block cookies from specific sites;
• Block all cookies; or
• Delete all cookies when you close your browser.

Please note that blocking cookies may impact your ability to use certain features of our website. For more information about cookies and how to manage them, visit www.aboutcookies.org or www.allaboutcookies.org.

Terms of Service

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Altongate Consulting Limited website ("Website") and the professional services we provide. By accessing or using our Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

9. Use of This Website

9.1 Acceptable Use

You may use our Website for lawful purposes only. You agree not to:

• Use the Website in any way that breaches any applicable local, national, or international law or regulation;
• Use the Website in any way that is unlawful or fraudulent, or has any unlawful or fraudulent purpose or effect;
• Transmit, or procure the sending of, any unsolicited or unauthorised advertising or promotional material or any other form of similar solicitation (spam);
• Knowingly transmit any data, send or upload any material that contains viruses, Trojan horses, worms, spyware, or any other harmful programs;
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to our Website, the server on which our Website is stored, or any server, computer, or database connected to our Website;
• Attack our Website via a denial-of-service attack or distributed denial-of-service attack; or
• Use automated systems or software to extract data from our Website for commercial purposes ("screen scraping").

9.2 Website Availability

While we strive to ensure our Website is available 24/7, we do not guarantee uninterrupted access. The Website may be unavailable during periods of maintenance, upgrades, or due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control. We will not be liable if the Website is unavailable at any time or for any period.

9.3 Changes to the Website

We reserve the right to update, modify, or discontinue any aspect of our Website at any time without notice. We may also suspend or withdraw access to all or part of our Website for business, operational, or regulatory reasons.

10. Intellectual Property Rights

10.1 Our Content

All content on this Website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, data compilations, software, and the compilation thereof ("Content"), is the property of Altongate Consulting Limited or our content suppliers and is protected by UK and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

The "Altongate" name and logo are registered trademarks of Altongate Consulting Limited. You may not use our trademarks without our prior written consent.

10.2 Limited Licence

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to access and use the Website and download or print extracts from the Website for your personal or internal business use only, provided that you:

• Do not modify or copy the materials except as necessary to view them;
• Do not use the materials for any commercial purpose or public display;
• Do not remove any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices;
• Do not transfer the materials to another person or "mirror" the materials on any other server; and
• Acknowledge Altongate as the source of the materials.

10.3 Restrictions

You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly display, republish, download, store, or transmit any material from our Website except as permitted in Section 10.2 above or as expressly authorised in writing by Altongate.

10.4 Third-Party Content

Our Website may contain links to third-party websites and content from third parties. We do not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for third-party content. Your use of third-party websites is at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of those websites.

11. Information Accuracy and Disclaimer

11.1 Website Content

The information on this Website is provided for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep information accurate and up to date, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the Website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the Website.

11.2 Professional Advice Disclaimer

The content on this Website should not be construed as professional advice. Our project case studies, insights, and thought leadership articles are provided for informational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultancy tailored to your specific circumstances.

Before making any decisions or taking any actions based upon information on this Website, you should consult with qualified professional advisors who can consider your specific situation.

11.3 No Client Relationship

Your use of this Website and any communication with Altongate through the Website does not create a client-consultant relationship. A professional relationship is established only when we enter into a formal engagement letter or contract for services.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:

12.1 Website Use

Altongate Consulting Limited, our officers, employees, agents, and affiliates shall not be liable for any loss or damage, whether direct, indirect, consequential, or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with:

• Your use of or inability to use our Website;
• Any reliance placed by you on information contained on the Website;
• Any errors or omissions in Website content;
• Any technical failures, interruptions, or unavailability of the Website;
• Any viruses or other harmful components encountered through use of the Website; or
• Any use of third-party websites linked from our Website.

12.2 Professional Services

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by our negligence;
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
• Any breach of obligations implied by Section 2 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982; or
• Any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under English law.

Liability for professional services rendered by Altongate is governed by the terms of our formal engagement letters and professional indemnity insurance arrangements.

13. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Altongate Consulting Limited, our officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or in connection with:

• Your use of the Website in breach of these Terms;
• Your violation of any law or regulation; or
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property rights.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim that arises out of or in connection with these Terms or their subject matter.

15. General Provisions

15.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Altongate concerning your use of the Website and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

15.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable. If modification is not possible, the provision shall be severed, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

15.3 Waiver

No waiver of any provision of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such provision or any other provision. Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

15.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or any rights granted hereunder without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations under these Terms without restriction.

15.5 Third-Party Rights

These Terms do not create any rights enforceable by third parties under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

15.6 Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the Website. Your continued use of the Website following any changes indicates your acceptance of the modified Terms. We recommend that you review these Terms periodically.

Material changes will be notified through a prominent notice on our Website or, where appropriate, via email to registered users.

16. Professional Standards and Conduct

Altongate Consulting Limited is regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and adheres to their professional and ethical standards. Our consultants maintain professional indemnity insurance in accordance with regulatory requirements.

We are committed to:

• Acting with integrity and in accordance with professional codes of conduct;
• Maintaining the highest standards of professional competence;
• Providing services with due skill, care, and diligence;
• Managing conflicts of interest appropriately;
• Maintaining client confidentiality; and
• Complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

Contact Information

17. Data Protection Officer

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your data protection rights, or have concerns about how we handle your personal information, please contact our Data Protection Officer:

18. General Enquiries

For questions about these Terms of Service or general enquiries about our services, please contact:

We aim to respond to all enquiries within two business days. For urgent matters, please telephone our main office during business hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM GMT).

19. Complaints

If you wish to make a complaint about our services or how we have handled your personal information, please contact us using the details above. We take all complaints seriously and will investigate promptly and fairly.

Our internal complaints procedure includes:

• Acknowledgement of your complaint within 2 business days;
• Investigation by an appropriate senior member of staff;
• Written response within 28 days, or earlier notification if additional time is required; and
• Escalation procedures if you remain dissatisfied with our response.

If you are not satisfied with our response to a complaint about data protection matters, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (contact details provided in Section 4.9).