Privacy & Cookie Policy Mike Smith IFA Ltd. Website: mikesmithifa.co.uk Effective Date: 30/04/2026
1. Who We Are
Mike Smith IFA Ltd. 30 Clevedon Road Tickenham BS21 6RA United Kingdom Email: info@mikesmithifa.co.uk
We are the data controller for the purposes of UK data protection law.
We are committed to handling personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR), and applicable regulatory expectations, including those set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
2. Scope of This Policy
This policy explains:
· What personal data we process
· How we use it
· The legal basis for processing
· How cookies and analytics are used on our website
· Your rights in relation to your data
3. Personal Data We Collect
We only collect personal data that is necessary for our business operations.
Information you provide:
· Name
· Email address
· Telephone number (if provided)
· Any personal information included in your enquiry message
Technical data:
· IP address
· Browser type and version
· Pages visited and usage behaviour
We do not store personal data within the website system itself.
4. How We Collect Data
We collect personal data when:
· You submit an enquiry via our website contact form
· You browse our website (via cookies and analytics technologies, where you have given your consent)
Contact form submissions are delivered to us by email and are not stored on the website.
5. How We Use Your Data
We use personal data to:
· Respond to enquiries and provide requested information or services
· Maintain business and regulatory records
· Monitor website performance and improve user experience (where consent has been given)
· Support operational and compliance requirements
We do not use your data for unsolicited marketing.
6. Lawful Basis for Processing
We rely on the following lawful bases under UK GDPR:
· Legitimate interests — to respond to enquiries and operate our business effectively. We have carried out a Legitimate Interests Assessment (LIA) to ensure our interests do not override your rights and freedoms.
· Legal obligation — where processing is required for compliance, record-keeping, or regulatory purposes.
· Consent — for non-essential cookies and analytics tracking. You may withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your cookie preferences via the cookie banner on our website, or by contacting us at info@mikesmithifa.co.uk.
7. Data Retention
We do not store personal data on our website.
Emails received via contact forms may be retained for as long as necessary to:
· Respond to enquiries
· Maintain appropriate business records
· Satisfy regulatory and legal obligations
Retention periods are kept proportionate and aligned with FCA expectations for regulated financial advice businesses.
8. Third-Party Service Providers
We use trusted third-party providers to support the operation of our website:
· IONOS — website hosting and infrastructure
· Google Analytics — website usage analytics (used only where consent has been given)
These providers process limited data on our behalf under appropriate contractual safeguards and in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
We do not sell or share personal data for marketing purposes.
9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies. In accordance with PECR and UK GDPR, non-essential cookies are only placed on your device with your prior consent, which you can provide or decline via our cookie banner when you first visit the site.
Strictly necessary cookies
These are essential for the website to function and do not require your consent.
Analytics cookies
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website, helping us to improve performance and content. These cookies are only set if you consent via our cookie banner.
Analytics data may include:
· Pages visited
· Time spent on pages
· Device and browser information
· Approximate geographic location
Where possible, we configure analytics tools to minimise the collection of directly identifiable data.
Managing your cookie preferences
You can change or withdraw your cookie consent at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link on our website, or by contacting us at info@mikesmithifa.co.uk. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect your experience of the site.
10. International Data Transfers
Some third-party providers, including Google Analytics, may process data outside the United Kingdom. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:
· Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved for use in the UK
· UK adequacy regulations where applicable
11. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data, including:
· Secure email systems
· Controlled access to systems and devices
· Use of reputable, contractually bound hosting infrastructure
12. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights:
· Access — to obtain a copy of your personal data
· Rectification — to request correction of inaccurate data
· Erasure — to request deletion of your data in certain circumstances
· Restriction — to request that processing is restricted
· Objection — to object to processing based on legitimate interests
· Portability — to receive your data in a structured, commonly used format (where applicable)
· Withdraw consent — where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@mikesmithifa.co.uk. We will respond within one calendar month.
13. Complaints
If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal data, we encourage you to contact us first at info@mikesmithifa.co.uk so that we can try to resolve the matter.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority: Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Website: https://ico.org.uk Telephone: 0303 123 1113
14. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy & Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law or our practices. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.