Privacy Notice

1. Introduction

This Privacy Notice explains how Red IFA (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, stores and protects your personal information. We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and complying with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), and all relevant FCA requirements.

This notice applies to information collected through our website and during the provision of regulated financial advice. It is designed to be clear, transparent and easy to understand.

2. Who We Are

Red IFA is an Independent Financial Adviser firm based in the Midlands, providing regulated financial planning services to individuals and businesses across the UK.

We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). FCA Reference Number: 933688

We act as the data controller for the personal information you provide.

3. The Information We Collect

Information you provide directly

When you contact us or engage our services, you may provide:

Name
Email address
Telephone number
Information submitted through contact forms
Documents or details required for regulated financial advice
Information relating to your financial circumstances, objectives and preferences
Identity verification information (where required by regulation)

Information collected automatically

When you visit our website, we may collect:

IP address
Browser type and version
Device information
Pages visited
Time spent on the site
General geographic region
Technical logs for security and performance monitoring

This helps us maintain website stability, detect issues and improve user experience.

Special category data

We do not intentionally collect special category data through our website. If such information is required for regulated advice (e.g., health details for protection planning), it will be handled securely and only with your explicit consent.

4. Children’s Privacy

Our website and services are intended for adults aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

If we become aware that personal information has been submitted by an individual under 18, we will delete it securely and without delay.

If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately so we can remove it.

5. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

Responding to enquiries submitted through our website
Providing regulated financial advice and services
Preparing suitability reports and recommendations
Maintaining FCA compliant records and audit trails
Meeting legal and regulatory obligations (including anti money laundering)
Improving our website, services and client experience
Ensuring website security, fraud prevention and system integrity

We do not sell your data or share it with third parties for marketing.

6. Lawful Basis for Processing

We process personal data under the following lawful bases:

Contract – to provide financial advice and services
Consent – when you submit information through our website
Legal obligation – FCA compliance, anti money laundering, record keeping
Legitimate interests – website analytics, security, service improvement

Where consent is used, you may withdraw it at any time.

7. How We Store and Protect Your Data

We use secure UK based systems and FCA compliant processes to protect your information, including:

Encrypted communication channels
Secure servers
Access controls and authentication
Regular security monitoring
Controlled retention periods
Secure deletion procedures

We retain data only for as long as necessary to meet regulatory, legal and contractual obligations.

8. Sharing Your Information

We may share your data with:

Product providers, platforms or insurers (with your consent)
Compliance consultants or auditors
FCA or regulatory bodies when required
Professional partners involved in delivering your financial plan
Legal or professional advisers where necessary

We do not share your data with third parties for advertising or unrelated marketing.

9. Cookies and Tracking

Our website may use cookies for:

Essential functionality
Performance and security
Analytics (where applicable)

For more information, please refer to our Cookie Policy, which explains the types of cookies used and how to manage them.

10. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the right to:

Access your personal data
Request correction of inaccurate data
Request deletion (where legally permitted)
Restrict processing
Object to processing
Request data portability
Withdraw consent at any time
Complain to the ICO if you believe your rights have been infringed

We will respond to all valid requests within one month.

11. External Links

Our website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for their content, security or privacy practices. We recommend reviewing the privacy notices of any external sites you visit.

12. Children’s Use of the Website

Although our website is accessible to all users, it is not directed at children. We do not provide financial advice to individuals under 18 and do not knowingly collect their data.

13. Changes to This Privacy Notice

We may update this Privacy Notice from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, regulation or our business practices. The latest version will always be available on our website.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Notice or how we handle your data, contact us using the details below.