STERLING STRATEGIES MARKETING LTD
Registered Office: Flat 4 Central Mansions, 7 Prentis Road, London, England, SW16 1HP
Company Number: 16704708
Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions govern the use of this website and the provision of services by Sterling Strategies Marketing Ltd (“the Company”). By accessing the website or engaging the Company’s services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you should not use the website or proceed with any service engagement.
These Terms should be read alongside the Company’s Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy.
1. Definitions
“Company” means Sterling Strategies Marketing Ltd.
“Client” means any individual, business, or organisation engaging or enquiring about services.
“Services” means market research, polling, insight generation, analytical reporting, and related consultancy services.
“Data” means any information collected, processed, analysed, or stored as part of research activity.
“Personal Data” has the meaning given under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
“Website” means all pages and digital content published by the Company.
2. Scope of Website Information
All website content is provided for general information only and does not constitute professional advice, research findings, or a binding offer of services. Service descriptions are indicative and subject to refinement through formal scoping and written agreement.
The Company reserves the right to amend website content at any time without notice.
3. Service Engagement and Contracts
No Services are provided until confirmed through a written proposal, statement of work, or service agreement accepted by the Client. That agreement will define scope, deliverables, methodology outline, timelines, fees, and data handling structure.
Any work requested outside agreed scope constitutes a variation and may result in additional fees and revised delivery dates.
4. Research Nature and Limitations
The Client acknowledges that research and polling produce probabilistic and sample-based findings rather than absolute certainty. Outcomes depend on methodology, sampling quality, response rates, and external conditions.
The Company does not guarantee that research findings will support any particular commercial outcome, decision, or strategy. Responsibility for decisions taken using research outputs remains with the Client.
5. Client Responsibilities
The Client agrees to:
- Provide accurate and complete briefing information
- Disclose relevant constraints and objectives
- Supply lawful contact lists or audience sources where applicable
- Confirm they have lawful basis to share any Personal Data provided
- Obtain any required consents connected to research participation where acting as data source provider
The Company is not responsible for errors arising from inaccurate or incomplete information supplied by the Client or third parties.
6. Fees and Payment
Fees are set out in written proposals or agreements. Invoices are payable within stated terms. The Company reserves the right to suspend Services where invoices are overdue.
Unless expressly stated, fees exclude third-party costs such as panel providers, data acquisition platforms, distribution channels, or specialist subcontractors. These may be billed separately.
Deposits or staged payments may be required.
7. Data Protection and GDPR Compliance
Due to the nature of market research and opinion polling, data protection and GDPR compliance form a core part of Company operations.
Sterling Strategies Marketing Ltd operates in accordance with:
- UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
- Data Protection Act 2018
- Applicable data protection guidance and codes of practice
7.1 Roles
Depending on the project, the Company may act as:
- Data Controller
- Joint Controller
- Data Processor
Role allocation will be defined in the service agreement or data processing addendum where required.
7.2 Lawful Basis
Personal Data is processed only where a lawful basis exists, including:
- Legitimate interests in research and statistical work
- Consent from participants
- Contractual necessity
- Legal obligation
Research activities are structured to align with recognised research exemptions and statistical processing provisions where applicable.
7.3 Data Minimisation
Only data necessary for defined research objectives is collected. Questionnaires and instruments are designed to avoid unnecessary Personal Data collection wherever possible.
7.4 Special Category Data
Special category data (sensitive personal data) is not collected unless explicitly required by research design and supported by a lawful basis and additional safeguards.
7.5 Participant Rights
Where Personal Data is processed, individuals retain GDPR rights, including:
- Right of access
- Right of rectification
- Right to erasure (where applicable)
- Right to restriction
- Right to object
- Right to data portability (where applicable)
Research data may be subject to exemptions where deletion would seriously impair research validity, as permitted by law.
8. Research Data Handling
Research responses are normally anonymised or pseudonymised as early as reasonably practical. Reporting is typically provided in aggregated form to reduce identifiability.
The Company implements technical and organisational safeguards including:
- Access controls
- Role-based data permissions
- Secure storage environments
- Encrypted transfer where appropriate
- Controlled retention schedules
Raw identifiable response data is not disclosed to Clients unless explicitly agreed and lawfully permitted.
9. Data Retention
Research data is retained only as long as necessary for research, audit, and legal purposes. Retention periods vary by project type and legal obligation. After retention expiry, data is securely deleted or anonymised.
10. International Data Transfers
Where research tools or platforms involve processing outside the UK, appropriate safeguards are applied, such as adequacy decisions or approved transfer mechanisms.
11. Confidentiality
The Company treats Client information and project materials as confidential and will not disclose them to unrelated third parties except:
- Where required for service delivery
- Where required by law
- Where authorised by the Client
The Company may describe project categories in anonymised portfolio terms unless the Client requests otherwise in writing.
12. Intellectual Property
Research frameworks, methodologies, templates, and analytical models remain the intellectual property of the Company.
Upon full payment, Clients receive a licence to use delivered reports and outputs for internal business purposes. Redistribution, resale, or publication requires written permission unless otherwise agreed.
13. Third-Party Platforms and Panels
Research may use third-party survey tools, panel providers, or data platforms. While due care is taken in selection, the Company is not liable for platform outages, panel behaviour, or third-party service failures beyond reasonable control.
14. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company is not liable for indirect, consequential, or economic loss arising from use of Services or research outputs.
Total liability relating to any engagement shall not exceed the fees paid for that specific engagement.
Nothing in these Terms limits liability where exclusion is not legally permitted.
15. Website Acceptable Use
Users must not misuse the website, attempt unauthorised access, introduce malicious code, or use content for unlawful purposes. Access may be restricted where misuse is suspected.
16. Termination
The Company may suspend or terminate Services where there is non-payment, unlawful instruction, abusive conduct, or material breach of agreement. Fees for completed work remain payable.
Clients may terminate in accordance with their written service agreement.
17. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
18. Updates
These Terms may be updated periodically. The latest published version applies to website use and future engagements unless otherwise agreed in writing.