Direct Marketing Policy

Introduction

At 24 British Builders Ltd (“we”, “our”, “us”), we are committed to keeping our customers informed about our services, offers, and industry updates in a way that complies with all applicable laws and respects individual rights.
This Direct Marketing Policy explains how we use personal data for marketing purposes, the safeguards we have in place, and your rights as a recipient of marketing communications.

We comply with:

UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
Data Protection Act 2018.
Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) (as amended).

This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, which explain how we collect and process personal data in general.

What is Direct Marketing?

Direct marketing is the promotion of our services, offers, or company updates directly to individuals, rather than through general advertising. This includes:

Email newsletters with service updates, offers, and news.
SMS/text messages containing urgent updates or promotions.
Telephone calls to discuss services that may be relevant to you.
Postal mailings such as leaflets or letters.
Digital marketing such as online retargeting advertisements where cookies are used.

Our Lawful Basis for Marketing

Under UK GDPR, all marketing must be based on a valid lawful ground. We rely on:

Consent
- We will only send email or SMS marketing where you have opted in to receive it.
- Consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous.
- You can withdraw your consent at any time.
Legitimate Interests
- In some cases, we may contact you based on our legitimate business interests (for example, contacting existing or recent customers about related services).
- Before doing so, we carry out a Legitimate Interest Assessment (LIA) to ensure that your rights are not overridden by our business interest.

We never use personal data for marketing unless there is a valid lawful basis to do so.

Channels We Use

1. Email & SMS Marketing

Emails and texts may include information about new services, special offers, regulatory updates affecting landlords and agencies, or invitations to events.
Every message includes an unsubscribe link or instructions to opt out.
We maintain a suppression list to ensure that once you opt out, you will not receive further marketing from us.

2. Telephone Marketing

Calls will only be made where:
- You have provided your number and consented, OR
- You are an existing customer and we have a legitimate interest to contact you, provided you are not listed with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS).
If calls are recorded, you will be informed at the start of the call.
We follow our internal Call Recording Policy to ensure data is protected.

3. Postal Marketing

We may send letters, flyers, or leaflets addressed to “Homeowner”, “Occupier”, or “Legal Owner”.
These are not classed as personal direct marketing under GDPR, as they are not addressed to an individual by name.
This method allows us to raise brand awareness in a compliant manner.

4. Digital Marketing (Cookies & Retargeting)

With your consent, we may use cookies and similar technologies to show you advertising online after visiting our website.
These adverts are designed to be relevant to your browsing activity.
You can manage your cookie preferences at any time via our Cookie Banner.

Sharing of Data with Third Parties

We may use trusted third-party providers (e.g., email distribution platforms, SMS gateways, marketing agencies) to deliver marketing on our behalf.
All third parties must enter into Data Processing Agreements with us and comply with UK GDPR.
We will never sell your personal data to third parties.
Data will only be shared for the purpose of delivering marketing communications you have agreed to receive.

Your Rights

You have the following rights under UK GDPR in relation to direct marketing:

Right to object – You can object at any time to the use of your personal data for direct marketing.
Right to withdraw consent – If you previously gave consent, you can withdraw it at any time.
Right of access – You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Right of rectification – You can request corrections if your information is inaccurate or incomplete.
Right of erasure – In certain circumstances, you can ask us to delete your data.
Right to restrict processing – You can ask us to limit how we use your data.
Right to data portability – You can ask us to transfer your data to another provider.

We aim to respond to all requests within one month, as required by law.

How to Opt Out

You can stop receiving direct marketing at any time by:

Clicking “unsubscribe” in any marketing email.
Replying STOP to any SMS message.
Calling us on 0330 912 7443.
Emailing enquiries@british-builders.co.uk with your request.

We will respect your choice and add your details to our suppression list to ensure you no longer receive unwanted marketing.

Complaints and Escalation

If you are unhappy with how we use your data for marketing, you can:

Contact us directly at enquiries@british-builders.co.uk.
If unresolved, you can raise a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
- Website: www.ico.org.uk
- Phone: 0303 123 1113

Governance & Accountability

We maintain records of marketing consents and opt-outs in line with GDPR accountability requirements.
Our Data Protection Officer (DPO) oversees compliance with marketing and data protection law.
All staff handling personal data for marketing are trained annually in GDPR and PECR compliance.
We review this policy annually to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory guidance.

Summary for Customers

We only send marketing where you’ve consented or where the law allows. You can opt out at any time, and we’ll always respect your choice.
Your data is never sold, always protected, and only used to provide you with information that’s relevant and useful.

Direct Marketing Policy