START UP PROGRAM — PRIVACY NOTICE

GO TRUE NORTH

Business Transformation Specialists

START UP PROGRAMME — PRIVACY NOTICE

1.  Who We Are

Go True North is a business transformation and growth consultancy based in Cannock Chase, UK. We operate the Start Up Programme (Vision to Venture), which provides 1-to-1 coaching, mentoring and group workshops to aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage businesses and growing SMEs.

Data Controller: Go True North is the Data Controller for personal data collected in connection with the Start Up Program.

Contact: [email protected]  |  gotruenorth.uk

2.  What Personal Data We Collect

When you apply to or participate in the Start Up Programme, we may collect the following personal data:

Identity and Contact Data

·         Full name

·         Email address

·         Phone number

·         Town, city and county / region

Business Data

·         Business name, website and social media profiles

·         Business registration number (where applicable)

·         Business sector and stage of development

·         Description of your business idea or current operations

Programme Data

·         Information about your goals, challenges and intended outcomes

·         Notes and records from coaching and mentoring sessions

·         Workshop attendance and participation records

·         Progress and outcome information

Communication Data

·         Records of correspondence between you and Go True North

·         Survey and feedback responses

3.  How we use your personal Data

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

Purpose Lawful Basis Detail
Processing your application and assessing eligibility Legitimate Interests To determine suitability for the programme
Delivering coaching, mentoring and workshop services Contract Performance Fulfilment of our agreement with you
Communicating programme updates and session information Contract Performance Keeping you informed about your programme
Sending programme news, events and resources Consent Only where you have opted in
Monitoring programme outcomes and reporting Legitimate Interests To improve our services and evidence impact
Complying with legal and regulatory obligations Legal Obligation Where required by law

4.  How Long We Keep Your Data

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes set out in this notice. Our standard retention periods are:

·         Application data (unsuccessful applicants): 12 months from the date of decision

·         Program participant records: 3 years from the date your participation ends

·         Financial and contractual records: 6 years in accordance with HMRC requirements

·         Marketing consent records: until consent is withdrawn

After these periods, your data will be securely deleted or anonymised.

5.  Who We Share Your Data With

We do not sell your personal data. We may share your data with:

·         Our delivery team and associates involved in coaching and workshop delivery, on a need-to-know basis

·         Program funders or commissioners where reporting is a contractual requirement — only anonymised or aggregated data unless otherwise agreed

·         IT and software providers used to manage our programmes and communications — all subject to data processing agreements

·         Professional advisors (e.g. legal or financial) where necessary

·         Regulatory authorities or law enforcement where legally required

6.  International Data Transfers

Go True North operates internationally, including with our Australian team. Where personal data is transferred outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR Chapter V, including Standard Contractual Clauses or adequacy decisions where applicable.

7.  Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the following rights in relation to your personal data:

·         Right of Access — to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you

·         Right to Rectification — to ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data

·         Right to Erasure — to ask us to delete your data in certain circumstances

·         Right to Restrict Processing — to ask us to limit how we use your data

·         Right to Data Portability — to receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format

·         Right to Object — to object to processing based on legitimate interests

·         Right to Withdraw Consent — where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within one calendar month. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.

8.  Cookies and Our Website

If you visit gotruenorth.uk, we may use cookies to improve your experience. Our full cookie policy is available on our website. This Privacy Notice covers data collected through the Start Up Program application and delivery process only.

9.  Changes to This Notice

We may update this Privacy Notice from time to time. The current version will always be available at gotruenorth.uk and provided to programme participants. Material changes will be communicated directly to active programme participants.