Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better experience by remembering your preferences and analyzing how our website is used.

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies to:

• Improve functionality: Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze performance: Understand how visitors use our website
• Enhance security: Protect against fraud and unauthorized access
• Provide relevant content: Show information most relevant to you

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

Purpose: Essential for website functionality
Consent Required: No (these are required for the website to work)
Duration: Session or up to 1 year

These cookies are essential for our website to work properly. They include:

• Session management cookies
• Security cookies
• Load balancing cookies
• Cookie consent preferences

3.2 Functional Cookies

Purpose: Remember your preferences and choices
Consent Required: Yes
Duration: Up to 2 years

These cookies enhance your experience by:

• Remembering your language preferences
• Storing form information
• Remembering accessibility settings
• Maintaining your cookie preferences

3.3 Analytics Cookies

Purpose: Help us understand how visitors use our website
Consent Required: Yes
Duration: Up to 26 months

We may use analytics services such as:

• Google Analytics: Website traffic and user behavior analysis
• Hotjar: User experience and heatmap analysis
• Internal analytics: Our own website usage tracking

These cookies collect information about:

• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• How you arrived at our website
• Device and browser information
• General location (country/city level only)

3.4 Marketing Cookies

Purpose: Deliver relevant advertising and track campaign effectiveness
Consent Required: Yes
Duration: Up to 13 months

These cookies may be used for:

• Tracking visits from advertising campaigns
• Building profiles for targeted advertising
• Measuring advertising effectiveness
• Retargeting visitors with relevant ads

4. Third-Party Cookies

We may allow approved third parties to place cookies on our website for specific purposes:

4.1 Google Services

• Google Analytics: Website analytics and reporting
• Google Fonts: Web font delivery
• Google Maps: Location and mapping services (if used)

4.2 Social Media

• Facebook: Social sharing and remarketing
• LinkedIn: Professional networking and targeting
• Twitter: Social sharing features

4.3 Other Services

• Font Awesome: Icon delivery service
• Cloudflare: Content delivery and security

5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

5.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner allowing you to:

• Accept All: Consent to all cookie types
• Necessary Only: Only allow essential cookies
• Custom Settings: Choose specific cookie categories

5.2 Changing Your Preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Clearing your browser cookies and revisiting our site
• Using your browser's cookie management tools
• Contacting us to update your preferences

5.3 Browser Settings

Most browsers allow you to:

• View cookies stored on your device
• Block all cookies or only third-party cookies
• Delete existing cookies
• Receive notifications when cookies are being set

Browser-Specific Instructions:

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
• Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data

6. Impact of Disabling Cookies

6.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

Disabling these cookies may result in:

• Website features not working properly
• Inability to submit forms
• Security vulnerabilities
• Loss of session information

6.2 Other Cookie Types

Disabling optional cookies may result in:

• Need to re-enter preferences on each visit
• Less personalized experience
• Generic rather than targeted content
• Repeated display of cookie consent banner

7. Mobile Devices and Apps

If you access our website through a mobile device or app:

• Similar cookie technologies may be used
• Device settings can control cookie behavior
• App-specific privacy settings may apply
• Clear cache/data options affect stored information

8. Data Protection and Privacy

Cookie data is subject to our Privacy Policy and:

• We do not sell cookie data to third parties
• Personal identification from cookies is limited
• Data retention periods are clearly defined
• You can request deletion of your cookie data

9. Children's Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 16. If a child has provided personal information through our website:

• Parents/guardians should contact us immediately
• We will delete any personal information collected
• Cookies related to that visit will be removed

10. Cookie Security

We implement appropriate security measures:

• Secure transmission: HTTPS encryption for sensitive cookies
• Limited access: Restricted access to cookie data
• Regular updates: Keep cookie technologies current
• Monitoring: Regular security assessments

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy when:

• We change how we use cookies
• New cookie technologies are implemented
• Legal requirements change
• Third-party services are added or removed

We will notify you of significant changes by:

• Updating the policy date at the top of this page
• Displaying a notice on our website
• Re-requesting consent where required

12. Contact Information

13. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have rights regarding cookie data:

• Right to be informed: This policy explains our cookie use
• Right of access: Request information about cookies we've set
• Right to rectification: Correct inaccurate cookie data
• Right to erasure: Request deletion of cookie data
• Right to object: Object to certain cookie uses

14. Complaints

If you're not satisfied with how we handle cookies:

• Contact us first: We'll try to resolve your concern
• ICO complaint: Contact the Information Commissioner's Office
• Browser reporting: Report issues to your browser provider