ABLE Privacy Policy
Members, Event Delegates, Exhibitors, Sponsors and Corporate Partners
Effective June 2026
1. Introduction
The Association of Business Leaders in Education (ABLE) is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal information when you engage with ABLE as a member, event attendee, exhibitor, sponsor, corporate partner or user of our online services.
This policy applies to all ABLE systems and services, including:
- The ABLE website;
- The ABLE Online Community provided by The Education Collective (TEC);
- The ABLE Rewards App;
- ABLE events and conferences;
- Email communications and newsletters;
- Membership services.
ABLE is the Data Controller for the personal information collected and processed through these services.
The Education Collective (TEC) acts as a Data Processor in relation to the ABLE Online Community and processes personal information on behalf of ABLE and under ABLE's instruction.
2. What Personal Data Do We Collect?
We may collect and process the following information:
Personal Information
- Name;
- Job title;
- School, academy, MAT or organisation;
- Email address;
- Telephone number;
- Postal address where required.
Membership Information
- Membership status;
- School or organisational characteristics;
- Membership of relevant professional organisations;
- Event attendance history.
Event Information
- Event registrations;
- Dietary requirements;
- Accessibility requirements;
- Session attendance.
Online Community Information
- Member profile information;
- Discussion forum posts and comments;
- Uploaded documents and resources;
- Community engagement activity;
- Community tokens and achievements;
- Login and usage activity.
Rewards App Information
- Profile information;
- Reward points activity;
- Token achievements;
- Directory visibility preferences.
Technical Information
- Website usage information;
- Email engagement statistics;
- Information relating to the use of our systems and communications.
Some information is required to provide membership services. Other information is optional and may be updated, amended or removed by you at any time.
3. How Do We Use Your Data?
We use your information to:
- Manage your membership;
- Provide access to member services;
- Process event registrations and attendance;
- Manage exhibitor, sponsor and partner relationships;
- Provide access to the ABLE Online Community;
- Facilitate networking, collaboration and knowledge sharing;
- Operate the ABLE Rewards App;
- Administer reward points, tokens and engagement activities;
- Send newsletters and member communications;
- Notify you about events, training and opportunities;
- Manage invoicing and financial records;
- Monitor and improve our services;
- Ensure the security and effective operation of our systems.
4. Lawful Basis for Processing
Under UK GDPR, our lawful bases for processing personal data include:
Contractual Necessity
Where processing is necessary to provide membership, event attendance or other services you have requested.
Legitimate Interests
To operate ABLE effectively, communicate with members, improve services and promote relevant opportunities.
Consent
Where you have specifically agreed to certain processing activities, such as sharing contact information with partners or sponsors.
Legal Obligation
Where processing is necessary to comply with legal or regulatory requirements.
5. Data Security
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.
Personal data is stored securely using systems provided by trusted third-party suppliers including:
- Microsoft;
- HubSpot;
- The Education Collective (TEC);
- Reveal Software;
- TryBooking;
- Xero;
- Lloyds Bank;
- eLearning Team.
Data is hosted and protected using appropriate safeguards in accordance with UK GDPR.
6. Third Party Suppliers and Data Processors
ABLE uses trusted third-party providers to help deliver our services.
These include:
| Provider | Purpose |
| The Education Collective (TEC) | Online Community and Member Area |
| Reveal Software | ABLE Rewards App |
| HubSpot | Email marketing and communications |
| TryBooking | Event registration and ticketing |
| Xero | Financial management |
| Lloyds Bank | Payment processing |
| eLearning Team | Website hosting and support |
These providers only process personal information on our behalf and under our instruction.
7. Data Sharing
We will never sell your personal data.
We may share information:
- Where required by law;
- With service providers acting on our behalf;
- With event sponsors where this has been clearly stated during registration;
- Where you have provided consent.
Where delegate lists are shared with sponsors, these will normally include:
- Name;
- Job title;
- School or organisation.
They will not include personal contact details unless you have provided consent.
8. Partner Access and Analysis
Some approved corporate partners may assist ABLE in analysing membership trends and supporting the growth of the Association.
Where this occurs, only anonymised or aggregated information will be shared unless you have provided explicit consent for additional information to be disclosed.
You may withdraw consent at any time.
9. ABLE Rewards App and Member Directory
ABLE may create a profile for members within the ABLE Rewards App using information held as part of their membership record.
The app includes a member directory designed to encourage networking, collaboration and peer support amongst members.
Profile information may include your name, organisation, job title and other information relevant to your membership.
Members can review, update and amend their profile information at any time.
Members can also control their visibility within the Rewards App directory and choose whether they wish to be visible to other users, where this functionality is available within the app.
To participate fully in the ABLE Rewards programme, including receiving reward points from exhibitors, sponsors, partners and other members, members must have a visible profile within the directory.
Other members, approved corporate partners, sponsors and exhibitors may have limited access to directory information where necessary to support networking, event participation and the administration of the rewards programme.
Personal contact details will not be visible unless the member chooses to make them available.
10. ABLE Online Community
ABLE provides members with access to an online community platform provided by The Education Collective (TEC).
The platform enables members to:
- Access member-only resources and documents;
- Participate in discussion forums;
- Maintain a member profile;
- View the member directory;
- Register for events;
- Earn and collect community tokens and rewards;
- Share content and engage with other members.
As part of using the online community, we may collect information relating to:
- Login activity;
- Discussion posts;
- Comments;
- Uploaded documents;
- Community participation;
- Token achievements;
- System usage.
Information shared within profiles, discussions, comments or uploaded content may be visible to other authorised users of the platform.
Members are responsible for ensuring that content they choose to share is appropriate and does not contain confidential or sensitive information that should not be disclosed.
Members can update their profile information at any time.
All members are listed within the member directory available through the online community. This may include:
- Name;
- Job title;
- Organisation;
- School or organisational characteristics.
Email addresses and direct contact information are not visible to other users unless specifically shared by the member.
If membership ends, accounts may be archived or deactivated. Historical discussion posts, comments and documents may be retained where necessary to preserve the value and integrity of community discussions and resources.
Members may request deletion of their personal information. Requests will be considered in accordance with UK GDPR and other legal, contractual, financial or regulatory obligations. In some circumstances, information may be retained where necessary to preserve the integrity of community discussions, records or resources, or may be anonymised where appropriate.
11. Data Retention
We will retain your personal data for up to three years after your membership ends or your last interaction with ABLE, unless we are required to retain it longer for legal, contractual, financial or regulatory purposes.
Content contributed to the ABLE Online Community, such as discussion posts, comments and shared resources, may be retained for longer where necessary to preserve the value and integrity of community discussions and resources.
Members may request deletion of their personal data in accordance with their rights under UK GDPR. Requests will be considered in accordance with applicable legal obligations and the need to maintain accurate records and the integrity of community content.
12. Automated Decision Making
ABLE does not undertake automated decision making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects on individuals.
13. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR you have the right to:
- Access your personal data;
- Correct inaccurate information;
- Request deletion of your information;
- Restrict processing;
- Object to processing;
- Request portability of your data;
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us.
14. Contact Details
Association of Business Leaders in Education (ABLE)
Email: [email protected]
If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal information, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):
15. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, services or operational requirements.
The latest version will always be available via the ABLE website.