Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how I, Elia Nichols, collect, use and protect your personal data when you visit elianichols.com, sign up for my newsletter, download a free resource or work with me as a coaching or training client. I process personal data in line with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679, “GDPR”) and Italian data protection law.

1. Who is responsible for your data

The data controller is Elia Nichols, Public Speaking & Communication Coach, Florence, Italy.
Email: elia@elianichols.com

2. What data I collect

• Data you give me – your name, email address, phone number, company and job title, and anything else you choose to share when you email me, book a discovery call, sign up for my newsletter or download a free resource.
• Client data – if you become a client, the information I need to deliver and invoice the service (for example billing details and tax or VAT numbers), and session notes. Sessions are only recorded with your consent.
• Technical data – when you visit the website, the server automatically records technical information such as your IP address, browser, device and the pages you visit. This is used to keep the website running and secure.

3. Why I use your data and on what legal basis

• To answer your enquiries and arrange discovery calls – steps taken at your request before entering into a contract, and my legitimate interest in replying to you (Art. 6(1)(b) and (f) GDPR).
• To deliver coaching, workshops, training and speaking engagements, and to issue invoices – performance of a contract and compliance with legal obligations (Art. 6(1)(b) and (c) GDPR).
• To send you my newsletter and the free resources you asked for – your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in every email.
• To keep the website secure and protect it from spam and misuse – my legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

4. Cookies and third-party content

The website uses technical cookies that are necessary for it to work. Some pages show content from third parties, such as YouTube videos, Google Maps, Google Fonts and Google reCAPTCHA (spam protection). When you view this content, these providers may collect data such as your IP address and set their own cookies. For details, please see Google’s Privacy Policy. I do not use cookies for advertising or profiling.

5. Who I share your data with

I never sell your personal data. I only share it with trusted providers who help me run my business – such as website hosting, email and newsletter services, and accounting and payment services – and only as far as they need it to do their job. Some of these providers may be based outside the European Economic Area (for example in the United States). In that case, the transfer is protected by appropriate safeguards, such as the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses or the EU–US Data Privacy Framework. I may also disclose data where the law requires it.

6. How long I keep your data

• Enquiries: up to 24 months after our last contact, unless you become a client.
• Newsletter: until you unsubscribe.
• Client and invoicing records: for as long as Italian tax and accounting law requires (generally 10 years).
• Technical logs: for a limited period, for security purposes only.

7. Your rights

Under the GDPR you have the right to access your personal data, have it corrected or deleted, restrict or object to its processing, receive it in a portable format, and withdraw your consent at any time (this does not affect processing carried out before you withdrew it). To exercise any of these rights, simply email me at elia@elianichols.com. I will reply within one month.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante per la protezione dei dati personali) or with the data protection authority in your country.

8. Security

I take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against loss, misuse and unauthorised access. No method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, but I do my best to protect the information you share with me.

9. Young people

When I work with participants under 18 (for example in university interview coaching), the engagement is arranged with a parent or guardian. I do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 14 without the consent of a parent or guardian.

10. Changes to this policy

I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version is always available on this page, with the date of the last update shown at the top.

11. Contact

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how I handle your data, please write to elia@elianichols.com.