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Privacy Notice – Candidate Data (Individuals)

Last updated: 9th Feb 2026

Overview

  • We only collect and process the personal data necessary for specific purposes.
  • Your personal data is used only for clearly defined purposes.
  • We have identified the lawful basis for processing your personal data.
  • Our service requires sharing your personal data with other organisations.
  • We take appropriate steps to keep your personal data safe and secure.
  • Your personal data may be transferred outside of the UK and EU.
  • Your personal data is retained for a defined period only.
  • You retain control of your personal data through your legal rights.
  • We are happy to explain how your personal data is processed.

Changes to This Privacy Notice

We may update this Privacy Notice at any time to reflect changes in data protection legislation or Irving Knight’s data processing practices. Updates take effect when published on this page.

Personal Data Collected

To provide a tailored recruitment service and identify suitable job opportunities, we may collect some or all of the following personal data:

  • Full name
  • Email address
  • Postal address
  • Telephone number(s)
  • Nationality
  • Employment history
  • Salary details and future employment preferences
  • Skills and experience
  • Education and qualifications
  • Number of dependents
  • Any other information you choose to provide

Personal data may be provided directly by you, obtained from third parties, or collected automatically through our website. When you use our website or email us, we may collect your IP address.

Sensitive personal data may be provided by you or collected where permitted by law to assess job suitability. This may include information relating to health, criminal records, or trade union membership.

Collecting Personal Data Directly From You

  • Applying for a job advertised on our website
  • Submitting your CV via the candidate services area of our website
  • Emailing your CV directly to a consultant
  • Telephone conversations with our consultants
  • Providing details at recruitment or graduation events

Collecting Personal Data From Other Sources

  • Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn
  • Job boards
  • Referrals from existing candidates

Purpose and Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data for the following purposes:

  • Recruitment – matching you with suitable vacancies
  • Marketing – informing you of relevant future opportunities

Recruitment Purposes

We collect and assess information to understand your career goals and match you with relevant roles. A consultant specialising in your sector may discuss your career, lifestyle, and preferences before creating a confidential candidate profile.

This profile is shared anonymously with potential employers. Your identity and personal data are only shared once you have provided explicit consent.

If you submit a CV and are not contacted within six (6) months, your application has not been successful and your CV will be permanently deleted.

Legal Basis – Consent

By applying for roles, submitting your CV, or engaging with our consultants, you consent to the processing of your personal data for recruitment purposes. We always obtain your explicit consent before sharing your data with clients.

Legal Basis – Legitimate Interests

We may contact individuals whose professional details are publicly available on platforms such as LinkedIn where we believe there is a genuine career opportunity. We document this processing through Legitimate Interest Assessments.

You have the right to object to processing based on legitimate interests.

Marketing Purposes

We aim to support your career progression by keeping you informed of suitable opportunities. You can control marketing communications at any time.

Marketing Preferences

  • Unsubscribe: Permanently stop all marketing emails
  • Mute: Pause marketing emails for three (3) months

Preferences are processed promptly and stored securely. These options apply only to marketing communications and do not affect essential service messages.

Who We Share Your Personal Data With

  • Existing clients with suitable vacancies
  • Prospective clients offering relevant opportunities
  • Legal authorities where required by law

We always obtain your explicit consent before sharing your personal data with clients.

How We Keep Your Personal Data Safe

  • Encryption of devices and servers where appropriate
  • Password-protected systems
  • Secure premises
  • Restricted staff access
  • Internal data protection policies
  • Staff training
  • Data breach response procedures

All systems and data storage are hosted on servers located in the UK and EU.

International Data Transfers

Where vacancies are located outside the UK or EU, your personal data may be transferred internationally with your explicit consent.

Data Retention

  • Active candidates: retained while communication remains active, then for 10 years
  • Unsuccessful applicants: CV deleted after 6 months
  • Internal employees: retained during employment and for 6 years after leaving
  • Unsuccessful internal applicants: retained for 6 months

Your Rights

  • Right to be informed
  • Right of access
  • Right to rectification
  • Right to erasure
  • Right to restrict processing
  • Right to object
  • Right to data portability

We do not undertake automated decision-making or profiling.

Contact Details

Data Protection Manager

Trustpilot

FAQs

We’re here to make Executive Search easy to understand. Find answers to the most common questions below.

Our priority is fit, not speed. We take time to understand your background, goals, and motivations, then provide clear insight into each opportunity so you’re only considered for roles that truly align with your experience and ambitions.

We specialise in senior, specialist, and leadership appointments across the markets we serve. Our focus is on roles where experience, judgement, and cultural alignment are critical — typically mid- to senior-level management through to executive and board appointments.

You’ll gain honest market insight, access to high-quality opportunities, and clear guidance throughout the process. Our aim is simple: to help you make the right move, at the right time, with confidence.

No. Our services are completely free for candidates. We are retained by our client partners to manage their hiring processes, meaning there is never a cost to you at any stage.

Our role is to represent your interests professionally, provide guidance throughout the process, and help you assess opportunities objectively — without any financial obligation.

No — if anything, it gives you an advantage. We provide context, insight, and advocacy that ensure your experience and motivations are clearly understood from the outset. Our role is to strengthen your candidacy and guide you through a transparent, well-managed process.

We operate as a retained, partnership-led search firm rather than a transactional recruiter. That means fewer searches, deeper engagement, and a far higher level of commitment to outcomes. By combining sector specialism, market intelligence, and a disciplined search methodology, we deliver hires that are aligned not only to role requirements, but to culture, strategy, and long-term growth plans.

We don’t rely on databases or job advertising alone. Our searches are driven by proactive market mapping, targeted outreach, and insight gained from long-standing sector networks. Candidates are assessed on capability, leadership style, cultural alignment, and long-term potential — not just CV fit — ensuring a robust and well-informed shortlist.

Confidentiality is fundamental to how we operate. Every search is handled with discretion, clear communication, and controlled market engagement. As your representative in the market, we protect your brand, manage messaging carefully, and ensure sensitive information is only shared when appropriate — safeguarding both your business and your candidates throughout the process.

Our retained model is designed to deliver outcomes, not volume. Because we invest the time to fully understand the role, the business, and the wider context, we achieve a consistently high completion rate across our searches. More importantly, our focus is on long-term retention and impact, not short-term placement metrics.

While our process is designed to minimise risk, we recognise that circumstances can change. In the rare event a placement doesn’t succeed, we work closely with our client to address the situation and agree the most appropriate next steps. Our commitment is to the partnership and the outcome — not just the initial hire

Let's talk

Contact Irving Knight Group for Executive Search Enquiries