Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how the NE High Street Heroes Awards ("we", "us", "our"), operated by First Connections, collects, uses and protects personal data submitted through ne-hsh-awards.co.uk.

1. Data We Collect

We collect personal data only when you voluntarily provide it through our forms:

• Nomination form — your name, email address, and details about the nominee.
• Voting form — your name, email address, and award category preference.
• Contact form — your name, email address, and message.
• Sponsorship enquiry form — your name, email address, organisation, and budget details.

This site sets no cookies and runs no analytics or third-party tracking scripts. Typefaces are served from our own domain rather than an external font provider, so loading a page does not disclose your visit to anyone else.

2. How We Use Your Data

• To process nominations and votes for the 2027 awards.
• To respond to your enquiries.
• To contact you about the awards programme if you have opted in.
• To take payment where you have purchased a sponsorship package or event tickets.

We will not sell, rent, or share what you submit with third parties for marketing purposes.

3. Our Lawful Basis

Under UK GDPR we rely on legitimate interests to run the nomination and voting process and to reply when you write to us; on consent where you have opted in to hear from us again, which you may withdraw at any time; and on performance of a contract where you have bought a sponsorship package or a ticket.

4. Who Processes It On Our Behalf

We use a small number of sub-processors to operate this site. Each acts only on our instructions and under a data-processing agreement:

• Netlify — website hosting and form delivery (United States, under Standard Contractual Clauses).
• Brevo — transactional email and mailing list management (European Union).
• Stripe — payment processing for sponsorship packages and tickets. Card details go directly to Stripe and are never seen or stored by us.

We will update this list before adding any new sub-processor.

5. Retention

Everything submitted through the forms is kept for the duration of the awards programme (until December 2027) and then securely deleted, unless you have consented to further contact. Payment records are held for six years to meet UK accounting requirements.

6. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of anything we hold about you, to object to or restrict our processing, and to receive a portable copy. To exercise these rights, contact us at awards@first-connections.co.uk. We will respond within one month.

7. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your information you may complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint, or by calling 0303 123 1113. We would appreciate the chance to put things right first.

8. Contact

Data controller: First Connections
Email: awards@first-connections.co.uk