Privacy Statement

Fern Talent Ltd Last updated: May 2026

1. Who we are

Fern Talent Ltd ("Fern Talent", "we", "us", "our") is an executive search and consultancy firm working in the UK charity and not-for-profit sector. We are the data controller responsible for the personal data described in this statement.

If you have any questions about this statement or how we handle your data, please contact us using the details above.

2. The personal data we collect

Depending on your relationship with us, we may collect:

Candidates and prospective candidates

  • Name, contact details and location

  • CV, work history, qualifications and references

  • Current and desired remuneration

  • Information you share during conversations, interviews and assessments

  • Publicly available professional information (for example from LinkedIn or organisations' own websites)

Clients and prospective clients

  • Name, job title, organisation and contact details

  • Information relating to roles, requirements and engagements

Website visitors

  • Information submitted through enquiry or contact forms

  • Limited technical data such as IP address and browser type, and cookie data (see section 9)

We do not actively seek special category data (such as health or ethnicity). Where it is shared with us, we will only process it where we have a lawful basis to do so.

3. How we obtain your data

We collect personal data:

  • Directly from you, when you contact us, apply for a role or engage our services

  • From publicly available sources and professional networks, where we identify you as a potential candidate

  • From clients or third parties who refer you, where appropriate

4. Why we use your data and our lawful bases

Purpose Lawful basis Identifying, assessing and introducing candidates to clients Legitimate interests Managing recruitment engagements and providing consultancy services Contract / legitimate interests Responding to enquiries Legitimate interests Sending relevant updates and opportunities Legitimate interests / consent Meeting legal and regulatory obligations Legal obligation

Where we rely on legitimate interests, our interest is in operating an effective executive search service and connecting suitable candidates with relevant opportunities. We balance this against your rights and would not process your data where those rights override our interests.

5. Who we share your data with

We may share your data with:

  • Clients, where you are a candidate being considered for a role (with appropriate care, and normally with your knowledge)

  • Service providers who support our operations (for example IT, CRM and email providers), under appropriate contractual safeguards

  • Professional advisers, regulators or authorities, where required by law

We do not sell your personal data.

6. International transfers

Where personal data is transferred outside the UK (for example through our technology providers), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as UK adequacy regulations or standard contractual clauses.

7. How long we keep your data

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes set out above. For candidate data, we typically retain records for [RETENTION PERIOD, e.g. 24 months] from our last meaningful contact, after which it is deleted or anonymised, unless a longer period is required by law.

8. Your rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you

  • Request correction of inaccurate data

  • Request erasure of your data

  • Object to or restrict our processing

  • Request data portability

  • Withdraw consent, where processing is based on consent

To exercise any of these rights, contact tim@ferntalent.com. We will respond within one month.

9. Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies. [Add detail consistent with your cookie banner / policy, e.g. essential cookies and analytics. Link to a separate Cookie Policy if you have one.]

10. Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data against unauthorised access, loss or misuse.

11. Changes to this statement

We may update this statement from time to time. The latest version will always be available at www.ferntalent.com, with the date of the most recent update shown above.

12. Complaints

If you have concerns about how we handle your data, please contact us first. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):