Last updated: 13 September 2026.
This policy applies to the Cowell & Co website, enquiries, bookings, subscriptions and client or prospective-client communications. It should be read alongside any more specific information provided when personal data is collected.
Data controller: Cowell Marine Systems Limited, trading as Cowell & Co.
Registered in England and Wales, company no. 14202491.
Registered office: 32 Severn Way, Cressage, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, SY5 6DS.
Email: sylvie@cowellandco.co.uk Telephone: +44 7340 426645
Information collected
Depending on how you use the site or work with Cowell & Co, this may include:
- your name, work email address, telephone number, company and role;
- the contents of an enquiry, correspondence and notes relating to a proposed or active engagement;
- booking details you provide through Calendly;
- an email address and consent record when you subscribe to the Operational Journal or programme updates;
- technical information in hosting security logs; and
- with your consent, website usage information collected through Google Analytics.
Professional information may also be received through a referral, from your employer or from a public professional source such as LinkedIn. Cowell & Co does not knowingly collect special-category data through this website and asks that you do not include it in an enquiry unless it is genuinely necessary.
Why information is used
Enquiries, bookings and services
Information is used to respond, arrange conversations, assess fit, prepare proposals, deliver agreed services, manage the working relationship and keep appropriate business records. The lawful bases are taking steps at your request before a contract, performing a contract, complying with legal obligations and Cowell & Co's legitimate interests in running a responsible advisory business.
Updates and the Operational Journal
Subscription emails are sent on the basis of your consent. You can withdraw that consent at any time by using the unsubscribe option in an email or contacting Cowell & Co. Withdrawing consent does not affect processing that took place before withdrawal.
Website security and improvement
Limited technical logs may be used for security, fraud prevention, fault diagnosis and service reliability on the basis of legitimate interests. Google Analytics is used only after you consent.
Forms and bookings
Website forms are processed through Netlify so that Cowell & Co can receive and respond to your submission. Booking the 45-minute conversation uses Calendly. If you open or use the embedded diary, Calendly receives the information and technical data needed to provide that service under its own privacy and cookie information.
You are not legally required to submit an enquiry or make a booking. Without the details marked as required, Cowell & Co may be unable to respond or arrange the requested conversation.
Relevant provider information: Netlify privacy statement and Calendly privacy notice.
Cookies and local storage
Essential browser storage supports choices or features you request. Analytics cookies are optional and remain off unless you select “Accept analytics”. Rejecting analytics does not prevent you from using the website.
| Name | Purpose | Type and duration |
|---|---|---|
| cowell-cookie-consent-v1 | Remembers whether you accepted or rejected analytics so the site can respect your choice. | Essential local storage; up to 180 days. |
| cowellco-diagnosis-v3 | Saves progress, answers and any optional result-sharing details in the Operating System Diagnosis on your device. Nothing is sent to Cowell & Co unless you actively choose to share your results. | Functional local storage; removed when results are shared, when you restart the diagnosis, or when you clear browser data. |
| _ga | Distinguishes visitors for Google Analytics after consent. | Optional analytics cookie; Google sets a default duration of up to 2 years, subject to browser limits. |
| _ga_<container-id> | Maintains session information for Google Analytics after consent. | Optional analytics cookie; Google sets a default duration of up to 2 years, subject to browser limits. |
Analytics is configured without Google Signals or advertising personalisation. You can change or withdraw your choice at any time.
Operating System Diagnosis
The diagnosis runs in your browser. Its answers and score are stored locally on your device to preserve progress and are not transmitted to Cowell & Co unless you actively choose to share them. Before starting, you may optionally add your name, email address and company and select “Share my results with Sylvie when I complete the diagnosis”. If you do, those details remain in your browser while you answer the questions and are submitted with your completed score and four section results when you finish. If you do not select that option, nothing is sent. You can also choose to share your results after seeing them.
Sharing and international transfers
Personal information is not sold. It is shared only where needed with service providers supporting website hosting and forms, scheduling, analytics, professional communications and secure business administration; with professional advisers where necessary; or where disclosure is required by law.
Current website providers include Netlify, Calendly and, only after analytics consent, Google Analytics. Choosing the French version also opens the site through Google Translate at your request. Some providers may process data outside the UK. Where UK data protection law requires it, Cowell & Co relies on an adequacy regulation or appropriate contractual safeguards supplied by the provider.
How long information is kept
- Enquiries that do not lead to an engagement are normally kept for up to 24 months after the last meaningful contact.
- Client records are normally kept for up to six years after the end of the engagement where needed for contractual, insurance, tax or legal purposes.
- Subscription information is kept until you unsubscribe or consent is otherwise withdrawn, with a minimal suppression record retained where needed to honour that choice.
- Security logs are retained for the period reasonably needed to investigate reliability or security events.
- Analytics event data is retained according to the period configured in the Google Analytics property and is reviewed against the need for meaningful trend reporting.
Information may be kept for longer where a legal claim, regulatory requirement or active dispute makes that necessary. Data that is no longer required is securely deleted or anonymised.
Your rights
Depending on the circumstances, UK data protection law may give you rights to:
- ask for access to your personal information;
- have inaccurate or incomplete information corrected;
- ask for information to be erased or its use restricted;
- object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing;
- receive information you supplied in a portable format; and
- withdraw consent at any time where consent is the lawful basis.
Cowell & Co does not use website or enquiry data to make solely automated decisions with legal or similarly significant effects. To exercise a right, email sylvie@cowellandco.co.uk. Identity may need to be confirmed before a request is completed.
Security and changes
Reasonable technical and organisational measures are used to protect personal information, including access controls and trusted service providers. No internet transmission or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure.
This notice is reviewed when services, providers or legal requirements change. Material changes will be reflected on this page and the updated date will be revised.
Questions or complaints
Please contact Cowell & Co first so there is an opportunity to resolve your concern: sylvie@cowellandco.co.uk.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office. Details are available at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint or by calling 0303 123 1113.
Cowell & Co