Privacy Policy

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Marian Fletcher takes your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data in the context of our website, client services, and general business operations. It applies to all individuals who interact with us, including visitors to our website, prospective clients, current clients, partners, and other professional contacts.

By accessing our website or communicating with us, you agree to the terms set out in this Privacy Policy.

1. Who We Are

This website and any processing of personal data associated with it are controlled by Marian Fletcher, a boutique consulting firm headquartered in Belgium. We provide legal and strategic advice on data protection, privacy, and emerging technology regulation.

For any questions about this policy or the way we handle your data, please contact:
Email: contact@marianfletcher.com

2. Scope of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to:

Visitors to our website
Prospective clients
Current clients and their representatives
Partners and suppliers
Individuals who contact us via email or web forms
Newsletter or update subscribers (if applicable)

It outlines how we collect and process personal data, for what purposes, under what legal basis, and which rights you have in relation to your data.

3. What Data We Collect and Why

We collect only the personal data necessary to operate our business, deliver our services, and communicate effectively with you. This may include your name, email address, job title, company affiliation, and the content of your message when you contact us through our website or by email.

If you become a client or engage with us professionally, we may collect additional information relevant to the services we provide. This can include business contact details, communication history, project documentation, and any information you voluntarily share in the context of our consulting work.

When you visit our website, we may also collect technical data such as your IP address, browser type, device information, and how you interact with the site. This is done for the purpose of improving site functionality, security, and user experience.

If you subscribe to a newsletter or request to receive updates from us, we will collect your name, email address, and any topics you have indicated interest in. You may withdraw your consent to receive such updates at any time.

We do not collect sensitive personal data unless you explicitly provide it. We also do not knowingly collect data from individuals under the age of 16.

We process personal data based on one or more of the following legal grounds: to perform a contract or take steps at your request before entering into a contract, to comply with legal obligations, to pursue our legitimate business interests, or where you have given explicit consent.

4. Your Rights

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and other applicable laws, you have the following rights:

Access - You may request confirmation of whether we process your data, and access a copy of it.

Rectification - You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.

Erasure - You may ask us to delete your data, subject to legal or contractual retention obligations.

Objection - You may object to our processing based on legitimate interest, in which case we will stop processing unless we have compelling reasons to continue. You may also object to direct marketing at any time.

Restriction - You may ask us to restrict how we process your data in certain circumstances.

Data Portability - You may request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format to transfer to another provider, where applicable.

Withdraw Consent - Where we rely on your consent, you may withdraw it at any time. This will not affect the lawfulness of processing prior to withdrawal.

To exercise any of these rights, please email privacy@marianfletcher.com. We aim to respond within one calendar month.

5. Disclosure to Third Parties

We treat your personal data with care. We only share it when necessary:

With service providers such as email platforms or hosting providers, under confidentiality and data processing agreements
With regulators or legal authorities, if required by law
With business partners involved in the delivery of a service, where strictly relevant
Internally, for operational purposes such as client account management

We do not sell your data. We do not use your personal information for automated decision-making or profiling.

6. International Transfers

We may transfer your data outside the European Economic Area in the course of working with clients, platforms, or service providers based abroad. When we do, we ensure adequate protection is in place, such as:

Transfers to countries recognised by the European Commission as offering adequate protection
Standard contractual clauses and, where necessary, additional safeguards

You may request a copy of these safeguards by contacting us.

7. Data Retention

We only retain personal data for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.

Inquiry-related data is typically retained for up to 12 months
Client-related data is retained for the duration of our engagement and for up to 10 years thereafter to comply with legal and professional obligations
Marketing communications continue until you unsubscribe or withdraw your consent
Analytics data is anonymised or deleted within a reasonable timeframe

If you would like specific details on retention periods for your data, please contact us.

8. Cookies

Our website may use cookies to improve user experience and track anonymous traffic patterns. These may include:

Essential cookies for basic functionality
Analytical cookies to understand how users interact with the site
Preference cookies to remember settings

You can control cookie settings in your browser. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies as outlined.

9. Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data from unauthorised access, accidental loss, or unlawful processing. These measures include:

Secure servers and restricted access to stored data
Encryption of communications where applicable
Regular internal reviews of security practices

While we take these steps seriously, no system is ever completely immune to risk. We urge you to be cautious when sharing sensitive information.

10. Contact

For any privacy-related questions, concerns, or complaints, please contact:

Email: privacy@marianfletcher.com

We also accept written correspondence. Please reach out via email to request the appropriate postal address.

If you believe your rights have been violated, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. In Belgium, this is the Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit, located at Drukpersstraat 35, 1000 Brussels. Website: www.gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit.be

11. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy occasionally to reflect legal developments, changes in our services, or shifts in best practices. Any changes will be posted on this page and dated accordingly. Where required, we will inform you directly.

We encourage you to review this policy from time to time. Your continued use of our website and services will be taken as acceptance of the latest version.