Privacy notice

Who we are

Understand Learning Limited is an independent research and learning consultancy. When we decide how and why personal information is used, we are the data controller.

Understand Learning Limited is registered in England and Wales under company number 13703816. Our registered office is Studio 29, Meantime Studios, 14 Feathers Place, London SE10 9NE.

For privacy questions, email hello@understandlearning.co.uk, call 020 8036 1210, or write to Studio 29, Meantime Studios, 14 Feathers Place, London SE10 9NE.

Information we collect

The information we collect depends on how you work with us. It may include:

• your name, role, organisation and contact details;
• information in emails, calls and other correspondence;
• information needed to plan and deliver work, manage contracts, pay suppliers and issue invoices;
• survey answers, interview responses, professional opinions and other research information; and
• website and device information collected through cookies and analytics, where you have agreed to this.

We normally collect information directly from you. We may also receive it from a client commissioning our work, a colleague who introduces you, or a relevant public source such as an organisation’s website or LinkedIn.

How we use your information

We use personal information to:

• respond to enquiries and discuss possible work;
• deliver research, insight, learning and consultancy services;
• manage client and supplier relationships, contracts, payments and business records;
• invite people to take part in research and analyse their contributions;
• keep our services and website secure; and
• understand how people use our website and improve it, where analytics consent has been given.

Our lawful bases are usually taking steps towards or fulfilling a contract, meeting a legal obligation, pursuing our legitimate interests in running and improving the consultancy, or your consent. If a project needs a different basis, we will explain it when the information is collected.

We don’t use personal information for automated decision-making or profiling.

Research projects

For some projects, a client decides why and how research information is used and Understand Learning processes it on the client’s instructions. In that case, the client is the data controller and its privacy information will apply.

Before you take part in research, we will explain who controls the information, what the project involves, how your contribution will be used and how long it will be kept. Findings are normally reported without naming individual participants unless we have clearly agreed otherwise.

Who we share information with

We only share information where it is needed. This may include the client commissioning a project, trusted providers that support our email, cloud storage, website, analytics and accounting, our professional advisers, or a public authority where the law requires it.

We don’t sell personal information. Providers acting for us must protect it and may only use it for the agreed service.

Information outside the UK

Some technology providers may process information outside the UK. Where this happens, we use providers and safeguards recognised by UK data protection law, such as an adequacy decision or approved contractual terms.

How long we keep information

We keep personal information only for as long as it is needed:

• general enquiries are normally kept for up to two years after our last contact;
• client, supplier, contract and financial records are normally kept for six years after the relationship or relevant financial period ends; and
• research information is kept for the period explained for that project or set by the client when we act on its instructions.

We may keep anonymised research findings that no longer identify anyone. We review information and delete or anonymise it when it is no longer needed.

Cookies and website analytics

Our website uses essential cookies needed for it to work. Some pages also use Google Analytics to help us understand visits and improve the site. Analytics is used only where you have agreed to non-essential cookies.

You can accept, reject or change your choice through the cookie banner. You can also review your cookie choices at any time.

Your rights

Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to ask for a copy of your information, correct it, delete it, restrict or object to its use, or receive it in a portable format. Where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time.

To exercise a right, email hello@understandlearning.co.uk. We may need to confirm your identity before acting on a request.

If you are unhappy with how we use your information, please contact us first so we can try to resolve it. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office ↗.

Other websites and changes

Our site links to other organisations, including LinkedIn and the Government Commercial Agency. Their own privacy notices apply when you use their websites.

We may update this notice when our work, suppliers or legal responsibilities change. The latest version will always appear on this page.