DATA PRIVACY & GDPR COMPLIANCE

Privacy Policy

Blended Learning Studio is committed to protecting your privacy and personal data. This policy explains what personal data we collect, why we hold it, how long we keep it, and your statutory rights under UK GDPR.

Last updated: September 18, 2026

1. Who We Are

Blended Learning Studio is the data controller for personal data collected through www.blendedlearningstudio.com and in the course of our coaching, learning design, and organisational development work.

This policy explains what personal data we collect, why we hold it, how long we keep it, and the statutory rights you have over it. It covers visitors to the website, individuals who make an enquiry, and participants taking part in coaching, assessments, programmes or research we deliver for client organisations.

  • Data Controller: Blended Learning Studio UK Limited, registered in England and Wales (Company No: 10584378).
  • Data Protection Lead: Claudine Charles (we are not required to appoint a statutory Data Protection Officer).
  • Registered Office: Available on the public register at Companies House. Postal address provided upon request.
  • Data Protection Enquiries: Via our contact form at blendedlearningstudio.com/contact, marked for the attention of the Data Protection Contact.

Note on Employer Commissions: Where we deliver coaching, assessments or diagnostic work commissioned by an employer, that employer is usually the data controller for participant data, and we act as a data processor under their instructions and our service contract. In those cases, the employer’s privacy notice applies alongside this policy.

2. What Personal Data We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to respond to client enquiries and deliver high-calibre professional services:

Category What It Includes Source
Enquiry Data Name, work email, organisation, area of interest, brief described in consultation form You, via website form or direct email
Client & Contract Data Contact details of client sponsors, purchase order, invoicing details, commercial correspondence You or your organisation
Coaching Data Session notes, development goals, contracting forms, coaching agreements, session reflections You, during executive coaching sessions
Assessment Data Psychometric assessment responses and diagnostic reports, workplace needs assessment reports You, via secure assessment platforms
Diagnostic & Research Data Qualitative interview notes, focus group transcripts, survey responses, thematic analysis inputs Participants in client engagements
Website Usage Data IP address, browser and device configuration, pages visited, referring URLs, cookie identifiers Automatically via hosting and analytics
Marketing Data Email address and subscription preferences for thought leadership and industry insights You, via voluntary opt-in

Special Category Data

Some specialist work involves data treated as special category under UK GDPR (e.g. neurodivergence, disability, health/wellbeing information in workplace needs assessments, or demographic diversity data in inclusion diagnostics). We collect this only where strictly necessary for commissioned work, supported by an Article 9 condition (such as explicit consent or employment/occupational health conditions). Diagnostic reporting is always anonymised or aggregated.

Confidentiality of Coaching

What is discussed in an executive coaching session remains strictly between coach and coachee. We share only agreed broad themes, attendance records, and high-level progress with sponsoring organisations as agreed at contracting. The only exceptions are risks of serious harm or statutory legal requirements, strictly in accordance with ICF and EMCC ethical codes.

3. How We Use Your Data & Our Lawful Basis

Under Article 6 of the UK GDPR, we process personal data under the following legal bases:

Purpose / Processing Activity Lawful Basis (UK GDPR)
Responding to enquiries & arranging initial consultations Legitimate Interests
Negotiating and delivering client service contracts Contract / Legitimate Interests
Delivering coaching, facilitation, assessments & diagnostic projects Contract; Explicit Consent for Special Category
Statutory bookkeeping, accounting, and tax compliance Legal Obligation
Coaching supervision, insurance & professional body compliance Legal Obligation & Legitimate Interests
Sending published insights or direct marketing updates Consent / Soft Opt-in (PECR)
Website security, diagnostics, and technical performance Legitimate Interests (Consent for Analytics Cookies)
Publishing anonymised case studies & client testimonials Consent

No Automated Profiling: We do not carry out automated decision-making producing legal or similarly significant effects. Psychometric reports are always interpreted and debriefed by a qualified psychological practitioner.

4. Cookies & Website Analytics

Cookies are small files stored on your device when you browse our site. We utilise cookies in three categories:

  • Strictly Necessary: Core site operations, session state, and spam prevention on enquiry forms (do not require consent).
  • Analytics: Help us measure aggregate reader engagement and traffic acquisition (set only with your explicit consent).
  • Embedded Content: Third-party components (e.g. video or maps) that may deploy independent cookies.

We never sell data and never build advertising profiles. You can adjust browser cookie preferences at any time.

5. Data Sharing & Third Parties

We never sell personal data or share it with third parties for marketing. We share data only under Article 28 data processor agreements with vetted providers:

  • Secure cloud hosting, calendar & encrypted file storage
  • Encrypted virtual video conferencing (coaching/facilitation)
  • Accredited psychometric and survey platforms
  • Statutory accounting, bookkeeping & payment processors
  • Qualified associate coaches & supervisors (under strict NDA)

International transfers outside the UK are protected by UK Adequacy Decisions or the UK International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA).

6. Data Retention Schedule

We retain personal records only for as long as necessary to fulfil their intended purpose, after which they are securely erased or permanently anonymised:

Record Type Retention Period
General Enquiries (not progressing to work) 12 months from date of last communication
Client Contract & Engagement Files 6 years following engagement conclusion (Limitation Act)
Coaching Session Notes & Agreements 12 months after coaching completion (unless contract states otherwise)
Psychometric & Workplace Needs Assessments As agreed with client sponsor, typically no more than 3 years
Diagnostic & Qualitative Research Data Raw notes deleted within 6 months; reports fully anonymised
Accounting, Invoicing & Financial Records 6 years from end of financial year (HMRC compliance)
Marketing Subscriptions Retained until unsubscribed (followed by suppression record)

7. How We Protect Your Data

We implement robust technical and organisational security measures:

  • End-to-end device and cloud storage encryption
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all accounts
  • Principle of least-privilege access control
  • Secure disposal of physical session materials
  • Strict written confidentiality covenants with all associates

In the unlikely event of a reportable data breach, we notify the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) within 72 hours and inform affected individuals promptly.

8. Your Legal Rights

Under UK data protection law, you possess enforceable rights:

  • Right of Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
  • Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate information.
  • Erasure (‘Right to be Forgotten’): Request deletion of data.
  • Restriction: Pause processing while queries are resolved.
  • Data Portability: Obtain your digital records in standard format.
  • Right to Object: Object to processing under legitimate interests.
  • Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent at any time without penalty.

To exercise any right, contact us via our website form. We respond within 30 days without fee.

Questions or Regulatory Complaints
Please contact us first via our website form so we can address your concern.
You also retain the statutory right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint or telephone 0303 123 1113.