1. Who we are and what this policy covers

First Face to Face Ltd, trading as FIRST (“we”, “us”, “our”), is the data controller for personal information collected through our websites at www.youarefirst.co.uk, www.firstnetwork.co and www.firstfacetoface.co.uk. This policy explains how we use the personal information we collect when you use our sites.

If you are a learner or take part in one of our programmes, our Privacy Notice for Learners and External Parties gives fuller information about how we use your information.

Our registered office is: PROTO, Abbott’s Hill, Gateshead NE8 3DF

Company registration number: 8987285

We are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and pay the required annual data protection fee. Our registration number is: ZA454253

2. How to contact us

For any question about this policy or your personal information, or to exercise your rights, contact our Data Protection Lead, Charlotte Windebank.

• Phone 0191 300 1575
• Email charlotte@youarefirst.co.uk

3. Information we collect through our sites

Depending on how you use our sites, we may collect:

• Information you give us such as your name, email address, telephone number, social media handles, business information and skill level, when you subscribe to our newsletter, complete a contact or application form, post a comment, or enter the Startup Awards North East.
• Booking information which we may receive from Eventbrite when you book tickets for our events, so we can manage your booking.
• Technical information such as your IP address, browser type and other log information collected through cookies. This does not usually identify you personally.

4. Cookies

Our sites are built on October CMS, which uses cookies so the sites work properly, to let you post comments, and to help us understand how the sites are used so we can improve them. The information collected through cookies does not usually identify you.

Some cookies need your consent and others, such as those that are strictly necessary or used only to measure and improve the site, may be used on the basis of an opt-out, in line with current rules. You can control cookies through any controls we provide on our sites and through your browser settings. For general information about cookies, see www.aboutcookies.org.

5. How and why we use your information

We use your information for the purposes below, and for each we must have a lawful basis under data protection law.

What we do	Our lawful basis
Send you our newsletter and marketing emails	Consent
Respond to your enquiries and contact form messages	Legitimate interests
Publish and manage comments you post on our site	Legitimate interests
Manage event bookings, including through Eventbrite	Contract, and legitimate interests
Process entries to the Startup Awards North East	Legitimate interests, and consent for related updates
Run, secure and improve our websites	Legitimate interests
Meet legal obligations and respond to lawful requests	Legal obligation

6. Who we share your information with

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only where we need to, and with appropriate protections in place. This may include:

• Our service providers such as our website host, IT suppliers and Eventbrite, who process information on our behalf under a contract.
• Startup Awards North East where you enter, so we can administer your entry.
• Law enforcement or other authorities where we are required or permitted to do so by law.

7. Marketing

Where you have asked to hear from us, we may send you information about our services and events, and those of the Startup Awards North East. You can opt out at any time. For FIRST, email admin@youarefirst.co.uk with OPTOUT in the subject line. For the Startup Awards, email hello@startupawardsne.co.uk with OPTOUT in the subject line.

8. How we keep your information safe

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your information against loss, misuse and unauthorised access, and we require our suppliers to do the same. We hold Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

9. Transfers outside the UK

We do not intend to transfer your personal information outside the United Kingdom. Where it is ever necessary, we will make sure the transfer is carried out in line with UK data protection law, relying on UK adequacy regulations or appropriate safeguards.

10. How long we keep your information

We keep your information only for as long as we need it for the purposes in this policy, and as set out in our data retention policy, then securely dispose of it. We keep your marketing preferences and website queries until you opt out or ask us to remove you.

11. Automated decision-making

We do not make decisions that have a legal or similarly significant effect on you based solely on automated processing, without human involvement.

12. Your rights

Subject to certain conditions, you have the right to be informed about how we use your information, to access a copy of it, to have it corrected or erased, to restrict or object to its use (including objecting to direct marketing at any time), and to data portability. Where we rely on your consent, you can withdraw it at any time without affecting anything we did beforehand.

To exercise any right, contact us using the details in section 2. We will respond without undue delay and normally within one calendar month.

13. Your right to complain

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal information, you can complain to us directly and we will look into it. Contact our Data Protection Lead, or email hello@youarefirst.co.uk. We will acknowledge your complaint within 30 days and tell you the outcome. You can also complain to the ICO at any time at www.ico.org.uk, or by calling 0303 123 1113.

14. Other websites

Our sites contain links to other websites. This policy applies only to our sites, so we encourage you to read the privacy information on any other website you visit.

15. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and the version and date above show when it was last updated.