Privacy Policy

Introduction

Harken Search Ltd. (“we,” “us,” “our”) is a permanent recruitment and executive search agency specialising in talent acquisition across the residential development sector. We are committed to protecting your personal data and privacy, in accordance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

This policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you engage with us—whether as a candidate, client, or website visitor.

1. What Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of personal data:

  • Candidates: Name, contact details, CV, career history, salary expectations, right-to-work status, diversity and equal opportunities data (optional), and interview feedback.

  • Clients: Business contact information, hiring briefs, and correspondence.

  • Website Users: Cookies and IP address (see Section 5).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use personal data strictly for recruitment and business operations, including:

  • Matching candidates with appropriate vacancies

  • Communicating with candidates and clients

  • Assessing skills and experience

  • Submitting CVs and profiles to clients (with prior consent)

  • Record-keeping for legal and contractual obligations

  • Diversity and inclusion monitoring (optional and anonymised)

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your data under the following legal bases:

  • Consent – where required for submitting CVs or collecting diversity data.

  • Contractual necessity – for fulfilling recruitment services.

  • Legitimate interest – to operate as a headhunting agency and improve services.

  • Legal obligations – such as right-to-work checks or HMRC compliance.

4. Where We Store Your Data

Candidate data is stored securely in a CRM system provided by a third-party service provider, acting as a data processor on our behalf. This includes your CV, contact details, interview notes, and other recruitment-related information.

We also use additional third-party tools to support recruitment workflows—such as interview scheduling, candidate communications, feedback collection, and reporting. These providers process data only under our instruction and are subject to strict confidentiality and data protection controls

5. Data Sharing and Retention

We only share personal data with trusted clients, platforms, or third parties where:

  • You’ve provided prior consent

  • It’s necessary to fulfil recruitment services

  • Required by law

Data is retained only for as long as necessary. Candidates can request deletion or updates at any time.

6. Website and Cookies

We may use cookies to understand how visitors use our website. You can manage cookie settings through your browser.

7. Your Rights

You have rights under UK GDPR, including access, correction, deletion, and data portability. To exercise these, contact us at privacy@harkensearch.co.uk.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy or how we handle data, please contact us at info@harkensearch.co.uk

Harken Search Ltd.