Talent Forte – Updated Privacy Policy (May 2025)

1. Introduction
Talent Forte is a specialist recruitment consultancy that values and respects your privacy. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2. Who We Are
Talent Forte Ltd (“Talent Forte”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is a data controller registered in the United Kingdom. Our business involves the sourcing, placement, and management of candidates for interim and permanent roles across various industries.

3. What Data We Collect
We may collect and process the following categories of personal data:
– Identification details (e.g., name, address, email, phone number)
– CVs, cover letters, qualifications, and employment history
– Salary expectations, notice periods, and job preferences
– Right to work documentation
– National Insurance number and bank details (for placed candidates)
– Timesheets, payroll, and billing information
– Publicly available professional data (e.g., from LinkedIn)

4. How We Collect Your Data
We collect data in several ways:
– Directly from you (e.g., CV submissions, email correspondence, phone calls)
– Through job boards, LinkedIn, and other public sources
– From third-party referrals or recommendations
– From clients, once you have been engaged on an assignment
– Through your use of our website and contact forms

5. How We Use Your Data
Your data is used for:
– Matching you to suitable job opportunities
– Contacting you regarding roles or applications
– Submitting anonymised or full CVs to clients (with your consent or based on legitimate interest)
– Managing interview and onboarding processes
– Complying with legal obligations
– Processing timesheets, payments, and payroll through our partners
– Conducting internal reporting and analytics

6. Use of AI and Profiling Tools
We use AI-based tools to support our recruitment operations. These include:
– AI-assisted CV assessments (e.g., ChatGPT)
– Automated job-matching platforms (e.g., Paiger)
– CV rewriting and anonymisation tools for speculative submissions

These tools are used to assist and augment human decision-making. Final decisions are made by our team, not by automated systems alone.

7. Sharing Your Data
We may share your personal data with the following types of recipients:
– Clients and hiring managers (for job opportunities)
– Technology platforms for recruitment, AI analysis, and CV formatting (e.g., Bullhorn, Paiger, OpenAI)
– Cloud storage and productivity platforms (e.g., Microsoft OneDrive)
– Our accountancy and payroll provider (Integra) for processing placed candidates
– Regulatory bodies or legal authorities, when required

All third-party processors are bound by appropriate data processing agreements and are required to comply with data protection laws.

8. Legal Basis for Processing
We rely on the following legal bases to process your data:
– Legitimate interest (e.g., recruitment, speculative outreach, CV review)
– Contractual necessity (e.g., timesheet processing, offer administration)
– Legal obligation (e.g., right to work checks, HMRC requirements)
– Consent (e.g., for marketing or ongoing engagement where required)

9. International Transfers
Some of our third-party providers may process data outside the UK. In such cases, we ensure that appropriate safeguards (e.g., UK IDTA or Standard Contractual Clauses) are in place.

10. Data Retention
We retain candidate data for up to 6 years for compliance and business purposes, unless you request erasure earlier. Financial and payroll data is retained in line with legal obligations.

11. Your Rights
You have the right to:
– Access your personal data
– Request rectification or erasure
– Object to or restrict processing (including profiling)
– Withdraw consent (where applicable)
– Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

To exercise your rights, contact us at: [email protected]

12. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies or tracking technologies for site performance and analytics. You can control cookie preferences through your browser. We do not use cookies for profiling or advertising.

13. Security Measures
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including access controls, encryption, and secure storage solutions.

14. Updates to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy periodically. Any changes will be posted on our website with a revised effective date.

Effective Date: 29 May 2025
For any questions or concerns, please contact: [email protected]