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Q GDPR fines have been in the news lately, what are the risks for me as a small business owner?
As the recent fines were handed down to large companies, it is easy for small businesses to feel that GDPR is not relevant to them as the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is only looking for big fines from big businesses. However, the new data protection legislation applies to any personal data held and therefore is something that you and every small business owner should be on top of.
I have heard some SMEs saying that they have no “personal data” because they do not sell to consumers. This is a myth. Every business has personal data – anything which identifies a living person is personal data, even if that person’s contact details are for work rather than home, it is personal data. So, if you employ people and/or have to speak to people to sell your goods/services, you
have personal data and GDPR applies to you.
A key lesson that we should learn from the recent highly-publicised fines is that ignorance is not bliss. BA and Marriott had some security around their data, but the ICO found they didn’t do enough. And for Marriott specifically, the ICO found that they failed to undertake sufficient due diligence when buying a business, to discover the historical breaches – so you cannot say “it wasn’t on my watch” if your business has grown from acquisitions and that acquired business didn’t comply with its GDPR obligations.
Many SMEs worry that GDPR is a barrier to doing business. However, compliance with the rules shouldn’t stop you running your business: there may be changes you need to make to ensure that everyone in your business understands the new legislation, but a lot of the provisions of GDPR were in
Blandy & Blandy LLP named as top-ranked firm
Blandy & Blandy’s leading probate, tax and trusts team has been recognised in the top tier for ‘private wealth law’ in the recently published Chambers High Net Worth Guide
The firm is one of only two based in Reading to be ranked in the top tier in the new edition, and the only firm with offices in Henley-on-Thames. Blandy & Blandy is described as ‘a longstanding Reading firm with deep roots in the area’, home to a ‘well respected private client team’.
The firm is praised for its professionalism, strength in depth and approachability and for putting ‘client’s interests at the heart of what they do’.
Partners Jonathan Gater and Caroline Casagranda and highly-experienced consultant solicitor Graham Benwell are all individually recognised for their expertise and experience.
Harriet Jones, partner 01895 207974
harriet.jones@
ibblaw.co.uk ibblaw.co.uk
the Data Protection Act 1998 and are built on common sense.
Make sure you understand the legislation and take commercial and practical legal advice on what changes your business needs to make – but get your house in order now before the ICO have reason to look at your business and question what you have (or haven’t!) done to comply with your obligations.
Submit your questions for the next edition to:
askibb@ibblaw.co.uk
Firm recognised for conveyancing expertise
Blandy & Blandy has been reaccredited by the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS).
As the Law Society explained: “The process of buying and selling a home is probably the largest transaction that most people undertake in their lives. By obtaining CQS accreditation a firm can demonstrate that its practice has the skill and expertise to provide quality residential conveyancing advice. CQS accreditation also demonstrates that a firm is able to provide residential conveyancing advice of the level expected by clients, lenders and the wider residential conveyancing community.”
New riverside offices in Henley-on-Thames
Blandy & Blandy welcomed councillor Ken Arlett, mayor of Henley-on-Thames, and Helen Barnett, the town’s manager, to mark the opening of the firm’s new Henley on- Thames offices at 24 Thameside.
Councillor Arlett said: “As mayor of Henley-on-Thames, I welcome the further investment that Blandy & Blandy have put into their new offices at Thameside. Henley Town Council was a supporter of
the planning applications and personally I am pleased to say what an excellent job has been made of the refurbishment. With the array of specialist talent on offer at Blandy & Blandy, there is no need to travel outside of Henley for expert legal advice.”
12 people will be based in the firm’s new offices full-time, while many others from its 100-strong team will routinely spend time there dependent on clients’ needs.
blandy.co.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
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