UK & EU Privacy Governance
Data Protection Consultancy for UK GDPR & Privacy Governance
Independent, senior-practitioner support for organisations that need to understand, strengthen or assure how personal information is governed — from complex UK GDPR questions and privacy-by-design decisions to DPIAs, data sharing, international transfers and wider accountability.
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ISO/IEC 27001:2022-certified information security management system · Incorporated 2009
When this service fits
You may need this service when:
a project, product or transformation raises significant privacy questions;
your UK GDPR compliance position needs independent review;
a DPIA or high-risk processing decision needs specialist input;
personal information will be shared with new organisations or suppliers;
international data transfers need structured assessment;
privacy governance has become fragmented or difficult to evidence;
a regulator, board, customer or procurement team needs greater assurance.
Who this supports
Privacy support for regulated and complex organisations
For organisations outside these sectors, requirements can be discussed directly where IG-Smart's expertise is relevant.
Approach
Practical advice for decisions that carry privacy risk
Data protection requirements often become most difficult when organisations are changing — launching new services, deploying technology, introducing AI, sharing information, appointing suppliers, entering new markets or responding to scrutiny.
IG-Smart provides independent advice that connects legal and regulatory requirements to the operational decisions an organisation actually needs to make. The objective is not simply to produce documentation, but to help clients establish a defensible position, understand material risks and implement proportionate controls. Where AI is involved, this work connects with AI Governance & Assurance.
Choosing the right support
Do you need consultancy support or an outsourced DPO?
- UK GDPR & Data Protection Consultancy
Appropriate where the organisation needs:
- specialist advice on a defined issue
- a compliance or maturity review
- a DPIA or project assessment
- privacy-by-design support
- data-sharing or transfer advice
- remediation or governance improvement
- independent assurance
- Outsourced & Fractional DPO
Appropriate where the organisation needs:
- an ongoing DPO function
- independent statutory oversight
- sustained monitoring and advice
- board/senior-management reporting
- a continuing point of contact for data-protection matters
- a managed privacy-office capability
Still deciding?
Not sure which route applies?
Where the appropriate model is unclear, IG-Smart can help determine the proportionate level of support without assuming that a statutory DPO appointment is required. For broader records, information risk and lifecycle governance, see Information Governance.
Core capabilities
What we help with
UK GDPR & Data Protection Compliance
Assessing existing arrangements, identifying material gaps and helping organisations translate UK GDPR and wider data-protection requirements into practical governance, controls and evidence.
Data Protection Impact Assessments
Supporting DPIA screening, assessment and review for projects, technologies and processing activities, including higher-risk and complex uses of personal information.
Privacy by Design & Default
Embedding privacy considerations into products, services, systems and change programmes early enough to influence design rather than attempting to remediate issues after implementation.
Data Sharing & Information Flows
Reviewing proposed sharing arrangements, responsibilities, safeguards and governance so that organisations can make better-informed decisions about when and how personal information should be shared.
International Data Transfers
Supporting organisations to understand and document transfer arrangements and the relevant safeguards, including assessments and contractual mechanisms where required.
Policies, Governance & Accountability
Developing or strengthening the policies, records, responsibilities and evidence required to demonstrate effective data-protection governance.
Privacy Reviews & Independent Assurance
Independent assessment of privacy arrangements, projects or areas of processing to identify material exposure, prioritise improvement and provide greater confidence to leadership, customers or other stakeholders.
Regulatory & Incident Advisory Support
Senior-practitioner support for significant data-protection questions, incidents and regulatory-facing decisions where independent advice is required.
Regulatory context
UK data protection requirements in a changing regulatory environment
UK organisations operate within a data-protection framework that includes the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, as amended by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) also apply where electronic marketing, cookies or similar technologies are involved. Regulatory guidance continues to evolve following legislative change.
International experience
International experience, with particular depth in UK and EU requirements.
We help organisations meet UK and EU data protection requirements and develop coherent privacy programmes across jurisdictions. Our experience spans the UK, EU, North America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Engagements can include jurisdiction-specific research, assessment of potentially conflicting requirements, programme adaptation and on-site governance and privacy audits. Scope reflects the jurisdictions, activities and risks involved.
Where an engagement requires locally qualified legal advice, a formal legal opinion or representation, we identify that requirement and agree how appropriate local counsel will be involved.
What you receive
Decision-ready privacy outputs
Illustrative examples of the assessments, registers and executive reporting a UK GDPR engagement may produce.
- Open privacy gaps
- 9
- ▼ 4 vs last review
- DPIAs open / closed
- 2 / 6
- ▲ 2 closed
- ROPA entries reviewed
- 38 / 45
- ▲ 12 this period
- Rights requests
- 11
- ▲ 2 this period
Gaps by risk
Remediation complete
58%
- Overdue actions
- 3
- Policy reviews due
- 2
- Matters for escalation
- 1
Illustrative output
UK GDPR Compliance Dashboard
Compliance view
A single view of UK GDPR compliance gaps and remediation, so leadership can see progress and what needs a decision.
What it helps you see
- Compliance gaps and movement
- DPIA and ROPA progress
- Rights request activity
- Remediation and escalations
Likely format
Dashboard / reporting view · Supporting registers and evidence records · Executive PDF summary where agreed
| Area reviewed | Current position | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| Lawful basis | Partial | Records incomplete |
| Retention | Not started | No schedule |
| Rights requests | In place | Evidence thin |
Illustrative output
Gap assessment and priority findings
Priorities
Where privacy governance stands against the agreed scope, the material gaps, and the priority and owner for each finding. Deciding what to fix first and what can wait.
What it helps you see
- Position by area reviewed
- Material gaps
- Owner for each finding
- What to fix first
Likely format
IG-Smart branded PDF · IG-Smart branded spreadsheet / register
| Processing | Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| New customer platform | Profiling | Opt-out and review |
| Supplier analytics | Transfer | SCCs and TRA |
Illustrative output
DPIA review or completed assessment support
Risk decision
Review of a DPIA, or support to complete one, with risks and mitigations made explicit. Deciding whether processing can proceed, and on what conditions.
What it helps you see
- Processing in scope
- Risks to individuals
- Mitigations relied on
- Residual position
Likely format
IG-Smart branded PDF · Evidence pack / supporting records
| Role | Responsibility | Forum |
|---|---|---|
| Senior owner | Accountable for privacy risk | Executive committee |
| Privacy lead | Day-to-day oversight | Privacy forum |
Illustrative output
Privacy-governance framework and controls
Accountability
Roles, decision rights, forums and reporting lines, with proportionate policy and control recommendations mapped to the findings. Making accountability clear and repeatable.
What it helps you see
- Roles and responsibilities
- Decision forums
- Reporting lines
- Control recommendations
Likely format
IG-Smart branded PDF
| Arrangement | Parties | Safeguards |
|---|---|---|
| Group data sharing | Entity A / Entity B | Agreement in place |
| Vendor support access | Supplier X | Terms under review |
Illustrative output
Data-sharing or transfer assessment
Supportability
Assessment of a sharing arrangement or international transfer against the agreed scope. Deciding whether a sharing or transfer arrangement is supportable.
What it helps you see
- The arrangement and parties
- Safeguards in place
- Gaps to resolve
- Overall position
Likely format
IG-Smart branded PDF · Evidence pack / supporting records
| Action | Owner | Dependency |
|---|---|---|
| Retention schedule | Records owner | Asset register |
| DPIA procedure | Privacy lead | None |
Illustrative output
Improvement plan and roadmap
Route to target
Actions sequenced by priority and phase, with owners, dependencies and the route to the agreed target state. Tracking improvement to completion.
What it helps you see
- Actions in priority order
- Accountable owners
- Dependencies
- Status to completion
Likely format
IG-Smart branded spreadsheet / register · IG-Smart branded PDF
| Position | Material risk | Decision required |
|---|---|---|
| Amber — improving | Retention gaps | Approve retention schedule |
Illustrative output
Board or executive assurance summary
Executive reporting
A concise view of the privacy position, material risks and decisions required. Giving leadership a clear basis for decisions.
What it helps you see
- Overall privacy position
- Material risks
- Decisions required
Likely format
IG-Smart branded PDF
Illustrative structure — not a client document. Exact outputs and formats depend on the agreed scope.
Relevant evidence
Relevant client and programme evidence
Selected engagements covering GDPR implementation, data protection by design and international data transfers.
View the evidence: Banham GroupNamed client · Security Services & Technology
Banham Group
Defined-scope assessment → retained managed DPO service
Gap analysis → implementation support → outsourced DPO since 2020
View the evidence: IconexNamed client · Retail / Consumer
Iconex
GDPR gap analysis and improvement planning
GDPR gap analysis and improvement planning
View the evidence: HabroNamed client · Financial Services
Habro
GDPR gap analysis, compliance report and implementation support
GDPR gap analysis through to implementation
View the evidence: AIMIA Loyalty SolutionsNamed client · Retail / Consumer
AIMIA Loyalty Solutions
Global GDPR implementation programme and global CISO
Global GDPR implementation programme · IG-Smart-appointed global CISO
Explore all case studies →Request Privacy Service Evidence →
Client perspective
“I chose IG Smart after having looked for a good GDPR consultancy firm for quite a decent amount of time, and I am very pleased with my decision... The report was accurate, easy to follow, easy to work with and at the same time intuitive; a desirable balance that anyone would wish for.”
Your IG-Smart team
Specialist expertise, coordinated around your requirement
Subject-matter expertise is paired with a clear client and programme contact from initial scoping through delivery.
Client & programme contact
Julia Andrade
BA
Coordinates scope, practitioners, delivery and stakeholder communication.
View profile
Buyer decisions
Questions before you engage
What is the difference between a data protection consultant and a DPO?
Can IG-Smart review an existing GDPR compliance programme?
Can you support DPIAs?
Do you provide ongoing support?
What if we actually need a DPO?
Related insight: Do You Need a Data Protection Officer?
Investment
Engage IG-Smart at the level the requirement needs
The exact fee is confirmed after scoping.
Procurement or supplier-assurance review?
Visit our Trust CentreDefined engagement
For a specific review, assessment, DPIA, project or governance requirement.
Starting investment: £7,500 + VATManaged / retained support
Where ongoing privacy or information-governance support is required without appointing IG-Smart as statutory DPO.
Explore the Managed Data Privacy ProgrammeScoped to the support required.Complex programme
For multi-workstream, international or transformation requirements.
Starting investment: £25,000 + VAT
Ready to move forward?
Need a defensible answer to a data protection requirement?
Not sure which service applies? Find the Right Service
Still defining your requirement?
Discuss UK GDPR Support
Discuss the requirement, risk, scope and the right engagement model with an experienced practitioner.
Discuss UK GDPR SupportHave a defined scope, tender or RFP?
Submit a GDPR Requirement
Share a defined requirement, RFP, tender, statement of work or existing scope for senior review.
Submit a GDPR RequirementProcurement or supplier assurance
Prepare for Procurement Review
Access company, security and assurance information for supplier review, with controlled evidence available on request.
Open Trust Centre