How I handle your data.

1. Who I am

This website is operated by Stuart Gould Design.

For the purpose of data protection law, Stuart Gould Design is the data controller for personal information collected through this website and in connection with enquiries, project work and ongoing services.

You can contact me at:

Email: design@stuartgould.com

2. What personal information I collect

The information I collect depends on how you use the website and whether you contact me or become a client. It may include:

• Your name, business name and contact details.
• Email messages, enquiry details and project information you choose to send.
• Information needed to quote for, deliver and manage website, branding, hosting, email or support services.
• Billing and payment information, such as invoice details and payment records.
• Technical information relating to websites I manage or support, such as domain names, hosting details, website access details or support history.
• Basic website usage information, such as pages visited and general analytics data, where analytics are used.
• Server logs and security information collected automatically by website hosting systems.

3. How I collect information

I may collect personal information when you:

• Send an email or contact me about a project.
• Ask for a quote, proposal or consultation.
• Become a client or supplier.
• Provide access to a website, hosting account, domain account or related system.
• Use this website, where cookies, analytics or server logs are active.

4. How I use your personal information

I may use your personal information to:

• Respond to enquiries and provide information about my services.
• Prepare quotes, proposals and project recommendations.
• Design, build, host, maintain or support websites and related services.
• Manage client relationships, project communication and ongoing support.
• Issue invoices, keep accounts and manage business records.
• Maintain website security, prevent misuse and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Improve this website and understand how people use it.
• Comply with legal, tax and regulatory obligations.

5. Lawful bases for using your data

Under UK data protection law, I need a lawful basis to use personal information. Depending on the situation, I may rely on:

Contract

Where I need to use your information to provide services you have requested or to take steps before entering into a contract.

Legitimate interests

Where it is necessary for running my business, responding to enquiries, managing clients, improving services, keeping records and protecting the security of my website and systems.

Legal obligation

Where I need to keep records for tax, accounting, compliance or legal reasons.

Consent

Where I ask for your consent for a specific activity, such as certain types of marketing or non-essential cookies where required.

6. Who I share information with

I do not sell your personal information. I may share information with trusted service providers where needed to run the business or provide services. This may include:

• Website hosting providers.
• Email and domain service providers.
• Accounting, bookkeeping or payment providers.
• Website plugins, security tools or backup services.
• Analytics or performance tools, if used.
• Specialist contractors or agency partners where needed for a project.
• Professional advisers or authorities where required by law.

Where I use third-party service providers, they should only process information for the relevant service and in line with appropriate safeguards.

7. International transfers

Some service providers may process data outside the UK. Where this happens, I aim to use providers that have appropriate safeguards in place, such as UK-approved contractual protections or equivalent measures.

8. How long I keep information

I keep personal information only for as long as needed for the purpose it was collected, including legal, accounting and business record requirements.

• Enquiry emails may be kept for a reasonable period in case you come back to me.
• Client and project records may be kept for the duration of the working relationship and for a reasonable period afterwards.
• Accounting and invoice records are usually kept for the period required by tax and accounting rules.
• Website logs and security records are usually kept for a limited period unless needed for investigation or security reasons.

9. Your rights

You have rights over your personal information. Depending on the circumstances, these may include the right to:

• Ask for a copy of the personal information held about you.
• Ask for inaccurate information to be corrected.
• Ask for information to be deleted.
• Object to certain types of processing.
• Ask for processing to be restricted.
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
• Complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.

To exercise your rights, email design@stuartgould.com.

10. Security

I take reasonable steps to protect personal information, including using appropriate website security, access controls, backups and trusted service providers. No website or email system can be guaranteed to be completely secure, so please avoid sending highly sensitive information unless necessary.

11. Cookies

This website may use cookies or similar technologies. Some are necessary for the website to work properly. Others, such as analytics or marketing cookies, may only be used where appropriate information and consent or another valid exception applies.

For more information, please see the Cookie Policy.

12. Changes to this policy

This privacy policy may be updated from time to time. The latest version will be published on this page with the date it was last updated.

13. Contact

For privacy questions or requests, please email:

design@stuartgould.com