Privacy Policy
Last updated: January 2024
At emerald-amount, we take your privacy seriously. This policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, and how we use and protect it. We've written this in plain language because we believe you deserve to understand exactly what happens with your data.
Who We Are
emerald-amount Ltd is a financial advisory firm registered in England and Wales. We provide investment guidance, retirement planning, and related financial services to individuals and businesses throughout the United Kingdom.
For the purposes of data protection legislation, we act as the data controller for personal information collected through our services and this website.
Information We Collect
The personal information we gather depends on how you interact with us:
When You Contact Us
- Your name and contact details (email address, postal address)
- The content of your enquiry or message
- Any information you choose to share about your circumstances
When You Become a Client
- Identity verification documents as required by regulation
- Financial information including income, assets, debts, and existing arrangements
- Employment and business details where relevant
- Family circumstances that affect financial planning
- Health information if relevant to insurance recommendations
- Risk tolerance assessments and investment objectives
When You Visit Our Website
- Technical information such as browser type and operating system
- Pages viewed and time spent on our site
- How you arrived at our website
- Your IP address and approximate location
Why We Collect This Information
We use your personal information for specific purposes:
- Providing services: Understanding your financial situation enables us to give relevant advice
- Legal obligations: Financial regulations require us to verify identity and maintain records
- Communication: Responding to enquiries and keeping you informed about your accounts
- Improving our services: Understanding how people use our website helps us make it better
- Business administration: Managing appointments, billing, and internal operations
Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data under several legal grounds:
- Contract: Processing necessary to provide the services you've engaged us for
- Legal obligation: Processing required to comply with financial regulations and anti-money laundering laws
- Legitimate interests: Processing that supports our business operations where it doesn't override your rights
- Consent: Where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time
Sharing Your Information
We don't sell your personal information. We may share it in limited circumstances:
- With product providers when implementing recommendations you've approved
- With professional advisers such as accountants or solicitors when you've given permission
- With regulators and law enforcement when legally required
- With service providers who help us operate (under strict confidentiality agreements)
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information. This includes encrypted communications, secure document storage, access controls, and regular security assessments. Our staff receive training on data protection and confidentiality obligations.
Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary for the purposes it was collected. For client records, financial regulations typically require retention for at least six years after the relationship ends. Website analytics data is retained for 26 months.
Your Rights
Under data protection law, you have rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: Request a copy of information we hold about you
- Rectification: Ask us to correct inaccurate information
- Erasure: Request deletion of your information (subject to legal retention requirements)
- Restriction: Ask us to limit how we use your data
- Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Objection: Object to certain types of processing
To exercise these rights, contact us using the details below. We'll respond within one month.
International Transfers
Your information is primarily stored and processed within the United Kingdom. If we ever need to transfer data outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy periodically. Significant changes will be communicated directly to clients. The current version is always available on our website.
Contact Us
For privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights:
Email: [email protected]
Post: Data Protection Officer, emerald-amount Ltd, 45 Greenfield House, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AB
Complaints
If you're unhappy with how we've handled your personal information, please contact us first. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.