GDPR
Navigating GDPR: Seamless Compliance for Your Business
GDPR Compliance Services for UK Businesses
Data protection you can prove to customers, buyers and the ICO.
Our GDPR compliance services help UK businesses understand, meet and evidence their data protection duties. We run gap analyses, map your data, write your policies and contract clauses, train your team and prepare the data protection evidence that tenders ask for. We resolved central government and Brexit-related data protection issues to help Serco finalise £40m of supplier contracts. Book a consultation to review where you stand.
What is GDPR compliance?
GDPR compliance means following the General Data Protection Regulation: the rules that give people control over their personal data and make sure it is protected. In the UK, this means the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA). If you offer goods or services to people in the EU, or monitor their behaviour, the EU GDPR can apply to you as well.
A data controller decides how and why personal data is processed. A data processor processes data on the controller's behalf. Understanding these roles, and the rights people have over their data, is central to staying compliant. For guidance on the basics, read our UK GDPR compliance guide.
Achieve peace of mind
GDPR can be complex, especially if you are not familiar with the detail. It sets strict data privacy standards for organisations around the world. It is not just about data. It is about trust, reputation and legal responsibility.
Our GDPR compliance services make sure your business meets the standard and can show that it does. Whether you are a small start-up or a large enterprise, we make GDPR simpler to manage.
GDPR in tenders and contracts
Buyers check your data protection before they award. Public sector tenders, NHS frameworks and enterprise contracts often ask for your data protection policy, how you handle data subject requests, your breach procedure and how you manage sub-processors. Contracts usually include data processing clauses that set out each party's responsibilities. Weak answers can cost you marks or fail a pass/fail question. We prepare policies and answers that stand up to buyer scrutiny, and our contract reviews check the data protection terms you are being asked to sign.
What's included in our GDPR compliance services
A well-informed, proactive approach is the foundation of good data protection. Our services follow the requirements of UK data protection law and give you clarity and confidence at every step. You can use the full service or pick the parts you need.
GDPR gap analysis
Understand where you stand today. We assess your current data processing practices in depth against GDPR requirements and show you what needs to change.
Data mapping
We help you keep track of every piece of personal data you process, so nothing goes unnoticed. The data map also supports your record of processing activities.
GDPR training
We give your staff training tailored to their roles, so GDPR principles become second nature. Training includes the responsibilities of data controllers.
Documentation overhaul
From privacy policies to terms of service, we make sure your public documents reflect GDPR compliance. This includes accurate contact details for enquiries and complaints, and how people can contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) about their personal data.
DPIA expertise
We assess new projects for data protection risks with Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs). This includes the risk of a data breach, so you stay compliant and protect sensitive information.
Data subject advocacy
We streamline your processes for handling requests to access, correct and delete personal data.
Proactive data breach planning
We prepare you with breach protocols and simulated breach scenarios, so you can respond quickly. Under UK GDPR, reportable breaches must be notified to the ICO within 72 hours.
Third-party checks
We review your suppliers to make sure they meet GDPR standards. This includes checking international organisations and transfers of personal data to countries outside the UK.
Cookie guidance for data privacy
We help you manage website cookies in a way that balances user experience with GDPR and UK privacy rules (the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, PECR).
Transparent consent management
We put in place processes to collect and manage consent properly, in line with UK GDPR and, where it applies to you, the EU GDPR.
Data Protection Officer insights
We help you understand whether you need a Data Protection Officer (DPO), and how to build the role into your operations. If you also operate in the EU, we explain how DPO and representative requirements apply there.
Regular compliance audits
We carry out routine checks and updates to keep you compliant as your business and the law change.
Cross-border data advice
We help you handle international data transfers with confidence. This covers the rules on transferring personal data to other countries, the safeguards you need and keeping data secure.
Data protection policies and contract clauses
We draft data protection policies and data processing clauses tailored to your business, ready to use in contracts and to submit with tenders.
Not sure where your gaps are? Book a consultation and we will scope a GDPR review with you.
How we work
Our GDPR process follows five steps. Each step has a clear output.
- Understand your operations. We learn how your business collects, uses, stores and shares personal data, and what your customers and tenders require. Output: agreed scope.
- Gap analysis and data mapping. We map your personal data and assess your current practices against UK GDPR and the DPA. Output: data map and gap report.
- Write policies and clauses. We draft or update your data protection policies, privacy notices and contract clauses, with clear guidelines for data controllers and processors. Output: policy and documentation set.
- Train and implement. We train your team on GDPR requirements, the DPO role, breach handling and data subject requests, and help build the new processes into daily work. Output: trained staff and working processes.
- Review and update. We provide ongoing support and regular audits, and update your policies as your business changes or new regulations come in. Output: audit reports and updated policies.
How Athena can help
We draft data protection policies and contract clauses tailored to your business. These documents comply with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, and follow good practice in data protection law. Because we understand your operations, the policies clearly explain how personal data is processed, stored and protected in your organisation.
We analyse your current data processing to find gaps and areas to improve. We set clear guidelines for data controllers and data processors, so everyone involved understands their responsibilities and follows the data protection principles.
We provide ongoing support to update and refine your policies as your business grows or new regulations emerge. This keeps your data protection framework strong and compliant with UK law and, where they apply, EU data protection standards and other national laws.
As well as writing policies, we run training sessions so your team understands GDPR requirements and can apply the policies day to day. Training covers the role of a Data Protection Officer, managing breaches and handling data subject requests.
Working with us gives you the knowledge and resources to simplify GDPR compliance, so you can focus on running your business with confidence that your data protection is in good hands.
Proof: data protection in contracts and tenders
GDPR work usually sits within a wider contract or bid. These case studies show where data protection was a deciding factor.
£40m supplier contracts secured for Serco's bike scheme
Serco needed to negotiate key supplier contracts for a £40m bike scheme. Central government and Brexit-related data protection concerns stood in the way of finalising the agreements. We led the negotiations and resolved the data protection issues. - Result: contracts finalised with Pashley Cycles and Beryl, with favourable terms and pricing on agreements valued at £40m. - Read the Serco case study
Two NHS framework registrations for My Heart Care
My Heart Care, a healthcare technology provider, wanted to enter the NHS supply chain. NHS frameworks have strict mandatory requirements. We completed a detailed eligibility and compliance assessment covering data protection, quality management and sector accreditation, then drafted all responses and supporting documents. - Result: two successful NHS framework registrations. - Read the My Heart Care case study
More relevant results
- Three framework awards for a cyber security IT reseller, with all supporting documentation drafted for compliance.
- MSA and operating model for Dukebridge, including standard MSA and Statement of Work templates.
- £2m in bid awards for a facilities management client, including a central library of policies and accreditations.
Our own framework credentials
We bid for public sector work ourselves, so we know the data protection questions buyers ask. - G-Cloud 14 – Athena secures a place on G-Cloud 14 - DOS 7 (Digital Outcomes and Specialists), Lots 1 and 3 – Athena awarded a place on DOS 7
Sectors we support
Defence
Defence contracts combine data protection with strict security requirements. Our team holds Security Check (SC) clearance and understands how data handling is assessed in MoD bids. Read our guide to UK MoD procurement.
NHS and health
Health data is special category data, with stricter rules. NHS buyers expect strong data protection evidence. We helped My Heart Care meet NHS data protection requirements on the way to two framework registrations. Read how to win NHS contracts.
Construction
Construction firms hold personal data on workers, subcontractors, residents and site visitors, often shared across complex supply chains. We help contractors set clear data responsibilities with their partners.
Technology
IT, cloud and software suppliers usually act as data processors for their customers, so buyers check them closely. We help technology suppliers prepare policies and answers for frameworks such as G-Cloud.
