Privacy Policy

Last updated: 20 January 2025

1. Introduction

Bertiecord (a trading name of Peppercord Limited, company number 11748083) ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website bertiecord.co.uk and use our services.

We are the data controller for the personal data we process. Our registered address is available upon request. For any privacy-related queries, contact us at hello@bertiecord.co.uk.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

  • Fill out contact forms or book a call
  • Subscribe to our newsletter or mailing list
  • Engage with our services as a client
  • Communicate with us via email, chat, or phone

This may include your name, email address, phone number, business name, and any other information you choose to share.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information, including:

  • Device information (browser type, operating system)
  • IP address and approximate location
  • Pages visited and time spent on site
  • Referring website or source
  • Interaction data (clicks, scrolls, form interactions)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Respond to your enquiries and provide our services
  • Schedule and manage appointments
  • Send administrative information (confirmations, updates)
  • Send marketing communications (with your consent)
  • Improve our website and services
  • Analyse website usage and performance
  • Comply with legal obligations

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

Under the UK GDPR, we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

  • Consent: Where you have given clear consent for us to process your personal data for a specific purpose (e.g., marketing emails, non-essential cookies).
  • Contract: Where processing is necessary for a contract we have with you, or because you have asked us to take specific steps before entering into a contract.
  • Legitimate Interests: Where processing is necessary for our legitimate interests (e.g., improving our services, website analytics) and your interests and rights do not override those interests.
  • Legal Obligation: Where processing is necessary to comply with the law.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience. For detailed information about the cookies we use, please see our cookie consent banner and the categories below:

5.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually set in response to actions you take, such as setting privacy preferences or filling in forms.

5.2 Analytics Cookies (Google Analytics)

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. This helps us improve our content and user experience. Google Analytics collects information such as:

  • Pages you visit and how long you spend on them
  • How you arrived at our site
  • Your approximate geographic location
  • Device and browser information

Google Analytics uses cookies to collect this information. We have configured Google Analytics to anonymise IP addresses. You can opt out of Google Analytics by using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

For more information, see Google's Privacy Policy.

5.3 Functional Cookies (Live Chat)

We use a live chat widget provided by Lead Connector (part of HighLevel/GoHighLevel) to communicate with you in real-time. This service may set cookies to:

  • Remember your chat history during a session
  • Identify returning visitors
  • Store your contact preferences

Information you provide through the chat widget (name, email, message content) is stored in our customer relationship management system.

5.4 Managing Cookies

You can manage your cookie preferences through our cookie consent banner or your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

6. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may process your data:

Service Purpose Data Processed Privacy Policy
Google Analytics Website analytics Usage data, device info, IP (anonymised) Link
Lead Connector / HighLevel CRM, chat widget, email Contact details, communications Link
Netlify Website hosting Server logs, IP addresses Link

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including:

  • Enquiry data: 2 years from last contact (unless you become a client)
  • Client data: 7 years after the end of our business relationship (for legal and accounting purposes)
  • Analytics data: 26 months (Google Analytics default)
  • Marketing preferences: Until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent

8. Your Rights Under GDPR

Under the UK GDPR, you have the following rights:

  • Right of 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 that we limit how we use your data.
  • Right to Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format.
  • Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
  • Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at hello@bertiecord.co.uk. We will respond within one month.

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data, including:

  • Secure HTTPS encryption on our website
  • Access controls and authentication
  • Regular security assessments of our systems
  • Secure storage with reputable service providers

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

10. International Data Transfers

Some of our third-party service providers are based outside the UK. Where we transfer data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

  • Adequacy decisions by the UK government
  • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
  • Other approved transfer mechanisms

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe we have collected data from a child, please contact us immediately.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us:

  • Email: hello@bertiecord.co.uk
  • Business: Peppercord Limited (trading as Bertiecord)
  • Company Number: 11748083

14. Complaints

If you are not satisfied with how we handle your personal data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):