Privacy Policy

Last updated: 17th November 2025

1. Who we are
SWAL Engineering Ltd. (“we”, “us”, “our”) is a structural engineering and concrete consultancy based in Chelmsford, Essex, UK. We provide engineering and design services for residential extensions, private homes, commercial, education and retail developments.

We are the data controller for the personal data you provide to us via our website contact form (and other channels) and are responsible for your personal data under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2. What personal data we collect
When you submit enquiries via our website (for example via our contact form), or otherwise contact us, we may collect the following types of personal data:

  • Your name
  • Your email address
  • Your telephone number
  • Your organisation (if applicable)
  • Your message / enquiry details
  • Any other information you choose to provide in the contact form or subsequent correspondence

3. How and why we process your personal data
We will process your personal data for the following purposes:

  • To respond to your enquiry and communicate with you about our services.
  • To assess whether we can work with you, provide proposals, and, if relevant, enter into a contract with you.
  • To keep a record of our communications and any resulting relationship.

Lawful basis for processing
Our lawful basis for processing your personal data is our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) UK GDPR). The legitimate interest is our interest in responding to enquiries, engaging with potential clients, and conducting our business. We believe this processing does not override your rights and freedoms.

If you explicitly provide consent for additional uses of your data (for example for marketing or newsletters), then we will process on the basis of consent (Article 6(1)(a)).

4. Who we share your personal data with
We will only share your personal data as necessary, for example with:

  • Our internal team members who need it to respond to your enquiry.
  • Third party service providers (such as website hosting providers, email service providers, CRM systems) who process data on our behalf under contract.
  • If required by law or regulation or to enforce our rights.

We will not sell your personal data and will not share it for third-party marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

5. Transfers outside the UK / EEA
At present, we do not routinely transfer your personal data outside the United Kingdom or European Economic Area (EEA). If we do in future, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are put in place (for example standard contractual clauses) in accordance with UK GDPR.

6. How long we keep your personal data
We will retain your personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes stated above, or as required by law. For example, if you submit an enquiry but we do not proceed further with a relationship, we may retain your contact details for 2 years so we can respond to any follow-up. If a contract is entered into, your data will be retained for the term of our working relationship and then for a further 4 years for record-keeping, tracing, tax, or professional liability purposes.

We regularly review what personal data we hold and securely delete or anonymise it once it is no longer required.

7. Your rights
Under UK GDPR you have a number of rights in relation to your personal data, including the right to:

  • Request access to a copy of your personal data we hold about you.
  • Request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
  • Request erasure of your personal data (in certain circumstances).
  • Request restriction of processing of your personal data (in certain circumstances).
  • Object to the processing of your personal data, for example if you believe your rights override our legitimate interests.
  • Request the transfer (portability) of your personal data to another organisation (in certain circumstances).
  • Withdraw any consent you have given. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent which occurred before withdrawal.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below.

If you have any concerns or complaints about how we process your personal data you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK supervisory authority: the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

8. How we keep your data safe
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure your personal data is secure, protected from unauthorised or unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction or damage. Access to personal data is restricted to those who need it for our business-purposes, and are bound by confidentiality obligations.

9. Changes to this privacy notice
We may update this privacy notice from time to time (for example to reflect changes in law or our business). We’ll publish any changes on our website and indicate the date of revision at the top of this notice.

10. Contact us
If you have any questions about this privacy notice or how we process your personal data, please contact:

SWAL Engineering Ltd.
Chelmsford, Essex, UK
Email: info@swal-engineering.com
Phone: 020 8135 7510