Privacy Policy

Who are Ruston McQueen?

This Policy sets out the obligations of Ruston McQueen is a company registered in England and Wales under Company Number 12530705, and Registered Address 1 Clifton Road, London, Finchley, N3 2AS.  We provide executive search and talent solutions to our candidates and clients. This Privacy Policy tells you what to expect in relation to the personal information that is collected, handled and processed by Ruston McQueen.

What does this Privacy Policy cover?

We take personal privacy seriously.  This Policy applies to you, whether you are a candidate, client, source of information, or whether you act as a referee on behalf of a candidate. This Policy also applies should you attend one of our events or sign up to receive our marketing material.

This Policy sets out the type of data that we collect about you, how and why we use this data, how long we keep this data for and your rights.

Why do we collect data?

We collect personal data from you for a number of reasons. 

Candidates: 
Executive Recruitment - working in partnership with our clients, we collect information that is necessary in order for us to match you with opportunities in relation to your experience, and to further assess your suitability through the different stages of the recruitment process.  We only gather information that will genuinely assist in supporting your application.  The type of data that we gather includes; your name, CV, identification documents, educational records, work history, employment references, salary and package details, contact details and a log of our communications (telephone and email). Your CV and related information will be shared or sent to prospective employers and our clients.

Market Mapping and Intelligence - we may conduct market mapping and intelligence exercises on behalf of our clients.  These provide insights in order for them to understand certain market activity.  Here we may provide personal details about you to our client, however you will not be contacted by a third party unless we have gathered your full consent.

Assessment and Coaching - should you be successful in the recruitment process, our client may engage us to conduct your psychometric testing on their behalf.  They may also invite us or one of our partners to provide coaching services to you, with your prior permission. 

Marketing - we may occasionally contact you in relation to career opportunities, market intelligence gathering and event invitations.  You do have the option to opt out of these emails at any time.

Please be aware, we do not hold any responsibility for the processing of data by our clients.

Sources and Referees: We will use your data in order to perform the intended service to our candidates and clients. We may also use this information for other legitimate purposes such as marketing or to contact you as a prospective candidate.

Clients: 
We will use your data for the purpose of the service provided to you and other legitimate purposes such as marketing.

Where do we collect data from?

There are different ways that we collect data; directly from you or via third parties e.g. media, online sources, printed publications, social media, networking sites, job boards, recommendations and referrals. 

How and why do we use your personal data?

The main purpose of using your data is to match your skills and experience with the expectations of a potential employer.  You may have contacted us directly or been approached by one of our researchers or consultants to discuss the details of a role; in this instance, we will provide you with details of our Privacy Policy, both verbally and electronically.

The more information that we have about you, the more bespoke that we can make our services. We may also use your details for market mapping and marketing purposes. Where appropriate, we will obtain consent from you.

How long do we hold your data for?

Your data will be retained for no longer than is necessary and in accordance with our Data Retention Policy;

Candidate Data: 3 years

Source/ Referee Data: 3 years

Client Data: 5 years

Who do we share personal data with?

Primarily, we will share your details with a prospective employer to increase your chances of securing the job that you want and to determine whether you are a good fit for the position.

What is the legal basis for processing data?

Article 6(1)(f) of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is relevant here – it says that we can process your data where it “is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by [us] or by a third party, except where such interests are over-ridden by the interests or fundamental rights or freedoms of [you] which require protection of personal data.”                        

The processing of personal data, whether that be about a prospective candidate, source, referee, or client, is necessary for our legitimate interest.  We require use of this data to best match candidates with potential roles, to contact referees/sources and to communicate with our clients.

We may store sensitive data about candidates who are shortlisted or who are receiving coaching by us and, where necessary, we will request your full consent for the processing of this data.

In terms of clients, to ensure that we provide you with the best service possible, we store your personal data and/or the personal data of individual contacts at your organisation, as well as keeping records of our conversations, meetings, registered positions and placements.

Will my data be transferred outside of the European Economic Area (EEA)?

Most potential employers and clients will be located inside the EEA, but on occasion they may be located outside of the EEA.  Personal data shall not be transferred to a country or territory outside of the EEA unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection or the appropriate safeguards are in place for your rights and freedoms. Before such a transfer takes place, we will provide you with further information concerning this.

How do you withdraw your consent? 

If you have provided us with your consent to process your data, you have the right to withdraw this at any time.  In order to do so, please contact us by emailing victoria@rustonmcqueen.com or ian@rustonmcqueen.com

Withdrawal of consent will mean that we are not able to match your profile with the best possible opportunities moving forward.

How do you access, amend or take back the personal data that you have given to us?

You have the right at any time to ask for a copy of the information that we hold about you.  Please consider your request responsibly before submitting it.  We will respond as soon as we can.  Generally, this will be within one month from when we receive your request.  If you would like to make a request for information, please email victoria@rustonmcqueen.com or ian@rustonmcqueen.com

In addition to this right of access, you also have the following rights:

Erasure - in certain situations, you have the right to request that we "erase" your personal data.  If we agree to your request, we will delete your data but will generally assume that you would prefer us to keep a note of your name on our register of individuals who would prefer not to be contacted.  This way, we will minimise the chances of you being recontacted in the future.

Restriction of processing - you have the right to object to certain types of processing, including processing for direct marketing e.g. if you no longer want to be contacted with industry information and events.

Data portability - if you wish, you have the right to transfer your personal data between data controllers.  In effect, this means that you are able to transfer your details to another provider.

How to contact Ruston McQueen in relation to data?

To access, amend or take back the personal data that you have given to us, or to withdraw your consent to the processing of your personal data (where consent is the legal basis on which we process your personal data), please email: victoria@rustonmcqueen.com or ian@rustonmcqueen.com