Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Federation of Optical Talent ("FOT", "we", "our", "us") is a careers, recruitment support and market insight platform for professionals within the UK optical industry.

Federation of Optical Talent operates under Inspired Selections, which acts as the Data Controller for the purposes of UK data protection legislation including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

We are committed to protecting personal information and processing data lawfully, fairly and transparently.

This Privacy Policy explains:

• What personal information we collect
• Why we collect it
• How it is used
• Who it may be shared with
• How long it is retained
• Your rights under UK GDPR

By using our website, submitting information or engaging with our services, you acknowledge this policy.

2. Data Controller Details

Data Controller

Inspired Selections UK LTD Company Registration Number: 06503828 Registered Address: The Beren, Blisworth Hill Business Park, Stoke Road, Blisworth, Northamptonshire, England, NN7 3DB

Trading through: Federation of Optical Talent Website: www.opticaltalent.co.uk Email: info@opticaltalent.co.uk

3. Information We Collect

We may collect the following information:

Identity Data

• Name
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Location
• Professional registration details
• Qualifications

Career Data

• CVs and employment history
• Current role
• Salary expectations
• Preferred locations
• Career ambitions
• Availability
• Working preferences
• Preferred employers or practices

Recruitment Data

• Notes from conversations
• Interview feedback
• Career discussions
• Opportunity preferences
• Candidate suitability information

Technical Data

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device information
• Website activity
• Cookie preferences

Marketing Data

• Communication preferences
• Newsletter subscriptions
• Job alert subscriptions
• WhatsApp consent preferences

4. Information We Do Not Intentionally Collect

FOT does not intentionally request:

• Health information
• Ethnicity data
• Criminal record information
• Religious beliefs
• Political opinions

Candidates should avoid including special category data unless required by law or specifically requested.

Where such information is provided voluntarily within a CV, it will be handled with additional care.

5. Why We Process Personal Data

We process information to:

Recruitment & Career Support

• Review CVs
• Discuss career opportunities
• Match candidates to potential opportunities
• Contact employers confidentially on behalf of candidates where permission is given

Candidate Support

• Provide salary insight
• Offer market information
• Discuss career progression

Communications

• Send newsletters
• Send job alerts
• Provide marketing updates
• Send industry insight

Website Operations

• Improve website performance
• Analyse usage patterns
• Maintain security

6. Legal Basis For Processing

Under UK GDPR we rely on:

Consent

Examples: newsletter sign up, job alerts, WhatsApp communications.

Legitimate Interest

Examples: recruitment discussions, candidate matching, market updates, maintaining candidate records.

Contractual Necessity

Examples: taking steps before recruitment services, managing applications.

Legal Obligations

Examples: responding to legal requests, regulatory compliance.

7. Candidate Matching & Potential Opportunities

Federation of Optical Talent may display employers, practices or organisations where no live vacancy currently exists.

These should not automatically be interpreted as active recruitment opportunities.

Candidates may register interest in potential opportunities.

Where appropriate and with consent, Federation representatives may approach employers confidentially to explore whether opportunities exist now or in the future.

No guarantee of employment is provided.

8. Sharing Personal Information

Your information may be shared with:

Inspired Recruitment Group

For recruitment support and career guidance.

Employers or practices

Only where relevant and appropriate.

Technology providers

CRM systems, analytics and communication tools.

We never sell candidate information.

9. Marketing Communications

You may receive:

• Job alerts
• Newsletters
• Industry updates
• Career insight
• WhatsApp updates (with consent)

You can unsubscribe at any time.

10. Data Retention

Candidate information is generally retained for 24 months from the last meaningful interaction.

Data may be removed earlier where requested.

11. Cookies & Website Analytics

FOT uses:

• Google Analytics
• Meta/Facebook Pixel
• Essential website cookies

Non-essential cookies require consent. See our Cookie Policy.

12. AI & Automated Decision Making

FOT does not use AI to make recruitment decisions.

Human review is applied to candidate matching and support.

Website chat functions do not store conversations or personal data.

13. Security

We implement reasonable organisational and technical measures designed to protect personal information.

No internet transmission is entirely secure.

14. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR you may request:

• Access to your information
• Correction
• Deletion
• Restriction of processing
• Objection
• Data portability

Requests: info@opticaltalent.co.uk

15. Complaints

Complaints relating to data processing should be sent to info@opticaltalent.co.uk.

Acknowledged within 5 working days. Response within 20 working days.

You may also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

16. Policy Updates

This policy may be amended periodically. Updated versions will appear on www.opticaltalent.co.uk.