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The best first job in the UK for overseas doctors

There are lots of different types of jobs in the UK for doctors and it’s hard to figure out where to start as an IMG. In this post, I’ll give you an in-depth walk-through of the possible jobs you can start with.

I’ll also make some recommendations depending on your background based on the level of support you’ll receive, and the expectations of you in that particular role.

Table of Contents

The best first job in the UK for overseas doctors

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The rules, guidelines and criteria for working as a doctor in the UK change frequently. Please make sure you check the latest official guidance before taking action.

Updated: April 19, 2020

Now remember, these are just my recommendations and not hard and fast rules. At the end of the day, you’ll have to conduct further research and use your own professional judgment, although I do hope that this article will give you a good background!

So if you want to work in the UK long-term, where should you start?

The best first job for most international doctors starting out in the UK, is as an employed non-training junior grade doctor in an NHS hospital.

Let’s break each term in that recommendation down and see whether it’s right for you.

NHS vs Private

The NHS is the public healthcare system in the UK. The vast majority of doctor jobs, including all training jobs, are in NHS hospitals. The NHS has very structured teams and support systems in place which will help you adjust to UK practice. Because of this, we generally recommend starting your UK career in an NHS hospital.

Jobs that are outside of the NHS are in the private sector. There is very little support for new doctors which can lead to a higher risk of litigation and complaints, which is why we don’t recommend starting your first job in a private hospital.

Recommendation: Start your first job in the NHS.

Employed vs Locum

When you are a direct employee of the hospital, the department tends to be more supportive and more understanding of the fact that you’re new to the UK. You are usually given an induction and an adjustment period.

If you work as a short-term locum, it means you have been placed in the hospital through a locum agency and you are not a direct employee. These jobs can be as short as a single shift, a couple of weeks, or up to 3 months. Sometimes you will not get a thorough induction, and you will certainly not have an adjustment period. With very short contracts, the rest of the medical team will not be invested in you professionally and you are unlikely to receive the support you need as a new doctor in the UK.

Recommendation: Start your first job as an employed doctor. Also be sure to ask about an initial adjustment period (see below).

Training vs Non-training

Training jobs are those that are part of a GMC-approved postgraduate specialist training programme. In these jobs, you need to meet all the numerous training requirements in order to progress from year to year. Once the programme is complete, you will be eligible for the GP or Specialist register and can apply for jobs as a GP or Consultant depending on your programme.

Related: The 4 types of GMC registration

We personally do not recommend starting in a training job at ST1/CT1 level or beyond as your first NHS post especially if you have not worked in a health system similar to the UK. Knowledge of how the NHS works is essential to succeed in a training job. Doctors in non-training jobs are often given an adjustment period so they can adapt to working in the NHS, this is not available in training jobs.

Making mistakes in a training job because you’re unfamiliar with the system can tarnish your reputation as a trainee, cause significant anxiety for yourself, and can even result in you getting kicked out of training. It also opens you up to complaints, investigations and medico-legal problems. All of this is completely avoidable by learning the system first in a non-training job.

Of course, there are IMGs who are suitable to start in a training job at ST1/CT1 level. We’ve listed the profiles of IMGs who may be suited for this below.

Related: What you need to know about specialty training in the UK

Most suitable first jobs if you plan to apply for UK specialty training

If you have not completed internship overseas, then your only option is to join the 2-year UK Foundation Programme as a first job.

If you have already completed internship overseas, the most suitable first job depends on whether you are aiming for ST1/CT1 level, or ST3/ST4 level.

If you plan to apply for ST1/CT1 level

In this case, best first jobs can include non-training junior grade posts in an acute specialty, Standalone FY2, or WAST. Just make sure you do not make yourself overqualified for your target specialty.

Through these jobs, you can adjust to the NHS, complete the compulsory 12-month post-internship experience prior to starting ST1/CT1, and get your CREST signed. (CREST is not required for ST1/CT1 if you join Standalone FY2.

Related: Are you overqualified for UK specialty training?

If you plan to apply for ST3/ST4 level

Ideal first jobs include non-training junior grade jobs or non-training middle grade jobs with an adjustment period. Be sure that whatever job you choose, you will be able to fulfill all the eligibility requirements for your specialty including any core competency certificates.

What do I mean by junior grade and middle grade? Keep reading to find out.

Related: What IMGs need to know about applications to specialty training (residency) in the UK

Grade

There are 3 general grades of jobs in the UK: junior, middle and senior. I will include FY1 here as a separate grade since it is quite different from the rest. For each grade, I’ll discuss the role, expectations, and who it’s suitable for.

FY1

The role

FY1 stands for Foundation Year 1, it is for new medical graduates therefore it is an internship level post. Most FY1 jobs are based on the wards. There may be some opportunity to work in the emergency department (ED), but there is often little exposure to clinics and the operating theatre.

Expectations of you

Your colleagues will have the least expectations of you compared to anyone else on the medical team. Everyone will be aware that you need to be taught how things work in the NHS, and closely guided on management. They expect that you will ask lots of questions. 

Who it’s suitable for as a FIRST job in the UK

Training FY1 (UK Foundation Programme)

Suitable for you if youNot suitable for you if you

Have not completed internship overseas  AND

For this you would need to have provisional GMC registration.

Have completed internship  OR

Have full GMC registration

Related: 

Non-training FY1 

Suitable for you if you Not suitable for you if you

Have completed internship overseas, have full GMC registration, and fit the following profiles:

Returning from a long career gap (more than 3 years)  OR

Have a nervous, extremely cautious, or anxious personality.

Have not completed internship  OR

Have provisional GMC registration  OR

You have completed internship overseas, and you are confident enough with your clinical skills to start in a junior grade job

Junior grade

The role

This grade is for those who have completed internship, have full GMC registration, and who may or may not have experience or training after internship. You will have:

  • Increased responsibility in managing patients
  • More shifts on weekends and nights
  • Responsibility for supervising those more junior to you

Job titles

SHO, non-training FY2, trust grade ST1/CT1, service post ST1/CT1, CT1/ST1 LAS, junior clinical fellow etc.

Expectations of you

As you have now completed internship, you will be expected to manage many scenarios initially before needing to ask for advice. However, since this is still a junior position, the senior members of your team will generally expect to guide you with most clinical decision-making. 

Who it’s suitable for as a FIRST job in the UK

Training Standalone FY2

Suitable for you ifNot suitable for you if you fit any of the following profiles

You have no other work experience after internship  OR

You have worked after internship but have not completed any postgraduate specialist training and you would like to start your UK career in structured junior level post

1. You have not completed internship OR

2. You have provisional GMC registration  OR

3. You have completed postgraduate specialist training  OR

4. You have worked as a specialist for several years.

Related: Standalone FY2: Your chances as an IMG and how to optimise your application

WAST (Widening Access to Specialty Training) [CURRENTLY CLOSED]

Suitable for you ifNot suitable for you if you fit any of the following profiles

You have no other work experience after internship  OR

You have worked after internship but have not completed any postgraduate specialist training and you would like to start your UK career in structured junior level post  AND

You only want to be considered for jobs in England  AND

You are happy working in smaller towns and rural areas  AND

You are interested in applying for specialty training in Psychiatry, GP, or any medical specialty (although anyone can apply regardless of specialty interest)

1. You have not completed internship  OR

2. You have provisional GMC registration  OR

3. You have completed postgraduate specialist training  OR

4. You have worked as a specialist for several years  OR

5. You want a job in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland  OR

6. You are only interested in jobs in large cities.

Related: 10 reasons why you should apply for WAST

Training CT1 or ST1

Suitable for you if you fit the following profileNot suitable for you if you fit any of the following profiles

Have worked in a public healthcare system similar to the NHS and meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Valid Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training (CREST), and
  2. 12 months clinical experience in acute medical specialties after internship by the time they start ST1 or CT1
  3. Not overqualified

1. You have not worked in a public healthcare system similar to the NHS before, and do not meet all 3 criteria listed opposite OR

2. You have not completed internship OR

3. You have provisional GMC registration OR

4. You have completed postgraduate specialist training OR

5. You have worked as a specialist for several years

Related: Are you overqualified for UK specialty training?


Non-training jobs

Suitable for you if you have completed internship and fit any one of the following profilesNot suitable for you if

1. You have no other experience after internship but do not have a long career gap (less than 3 years) and feel confident with your clinical skills OR

2. You have worked after internship but have not completed any postgraduate specialty training OR

3. You have completed some postgraduate specialty training but didn’t finish it OR

4. You have completed all postgraduate specialty training but have a nervous, cautious or anxious personality

1. You have not completed internship OR

2. You have provisional GMC registration OR

3. You have completed internship but have a nervous, cautious or anxious personality OR

4. You have completed postgraduate specialist training and you are confident in your clinical skills OR

5. You have worked as a specialist for several years 

Middle grade

The role

This level is for those who have completed postgraduate specialty training or have several years of experience. As a middle grade doctor you will be:

  • The most senior decision maker for your specialty in the hospital, especially on nights or weekends. 
  • Responsible for leading and supervising your team including junior grade doctors and advanced nurses.

Job titles

Registrar, SpR, trust grade ST3+, service post ST3+, ST3 LAS, senior clinical fellow, specialty doctor, middle grade, staff grade etc.

Expectations of you

You will be expected to manage most simple and intermediate level cases independently without having to ask for advice. For complex patients and anything you’re unsure about, you will need to discuss it directly with the Consultant.

Who it’s suitable for as a FIRST job in the UK

Training jobs

We do not recommend an ST3 or ST4 training job as a first job for anybody. In fact, you’re unlikely to eligible since knowledge of how the NHS works is often a requirement for training jobs at this level. 

Non-training jobs

Suitable for you if you fit one of the following profilesNot suitable for you if you fit any of the following profiles

You have completed postgraduate specialty training or have worked at least 3 years in the relevant specialty AND

  • You work in acute inpatient-based specialty, ie. you will be on call with work in the evenings, nights and weekends eg. any surgical or medical field, AND you have worked in a health system similar to the UK OR have negotiated an adjustment period (see below) OR
  • You work in a non-acute outpatient-based specialty that does not manage acutely unwell patients, eg. Dermatology, Genitourinary Medicine, Pathology etc

1. You have not completed internship OR

2. You have provisional GMC registration OR

3. You have completed internship but have no other experience or training OR

4. You have not completed postgraduate training or worked at least 3 years in the relevant specialty OR

5. You have completed postgraduate training or worked at least 3 years in you will be working in an acute inpatient-based specialty but you have not worked in a health system similar to the UK and will not be given an adjustment period

Related: 10 ways to prepare for your first job in the NHS as an IMG

Senior grade

Senior grade doctors include GPs and Consultants. In order to apply for permanent GP or Consultant jobs then you need to be on the GMC GP or Specialist Register, respectively. 

It may be possible to get on the GP or Specialist Register as an IMG without any UK experience so you can apply for these roles as a first job. However this is quite difficult, so if you are unable to gain direct entry to the GP or Specialist Register, then you can still work as a locum GP or locum Consultant.

The role

This level is for those who have completed postgraduate specialty training and have worked for several years in their specialty overseas – usually over a decade. As a senior doctor, you will work largely independently in terms of clinical decision-making, and you will be responsible for supervising all junior and middle grade doctors in your team.

Expectations of you

You may need to ask about how things are done, but you will be expected to manage the vast majority of patients without the need to ask for advice on how to manage them. 

Of course, if you have a highly complex patient then you should discuss their case with other GPs or Consultants – either in the same specialty or other specialties as appropriate.

Who it’s suitable for as a FIRST job in the UK

This job is really only suitable for those who have already worked for over a decade in their specialty.

Related: How to become a UK Consultant without entering a UK training programme

The adjustment period

Most hospitals will give you some time to adjust to the new system by giving you a period of shadowing/observation (this can be paid or unpaid) or taking you off night and weekend shifts initially. This is only available in non-training jobs.

For middle grade jobs, some hospitals will allow you to work as a junior grade for a few weeks or months before working as a middle grade. Again, this is only available in non-training jobs.

Take advantage of these opportunities because once the adjustment period ends, you will be expected to get on with work like the rest of the team.

Related: 5 feelings you’ll experience as a new IMG in the NHS

The consequences of starting in the wrong job

Starting in the wrong job for can be devastating. If you’re overconfident and take on a job that is too senior or unsuitable for you, it can have dire consequences for your career, your UK license, and your morale and well-being.

Here are some examples of actual situations that have happened to IMGs over the years:

  • Demoted from junior grade to FY1
  • Demoted from middle grade to junior grade
  • Taken off the on-call rota
  • Removed from a training post
  • Reported to the GMC for incompetence
  • Reported to the GMC for clinical mistakes made
  • Investigated by the GMC
  • GMC licensed revoked
  • Demoralised and returned home

All of this is easily avoidable by starting in a job that is suitable for your background. It is also important to clarify what support you’ll be given before you actually accept a job. It’s really good to do this during the interview.

We’ll write another post in the future on how to evaluate whether a job has enough support for IMGs before you accept it. We’ll also publish all our tips on how to adjust to the UK system, so you can avoid these devastating situations and thrive instead in your UK career.

Related: Can you reject a job offer you’ve previously accepted?

Summary

The best first job for IMGs in the UK, is the one that will provide support for new UK doctors and is suited to the background experience. For most IMGs, this means an employed non-training junior grade role in an NHS hospital.
Starting in a training job at ST1/CT1 level is generally not recommended, but this is possible for IMGs with a suitable background.

  • Starting in a training job at ST3/ST4 level is not recommended. It’s also very unlikely due to eligibility requirements.
  • Starting in a non-training middle-grade job in an acute specialty may be suitable with an appropriate adjustment period.
  • Starting in a non-training middle-grade job in a non-acute specialty may be suitable even without an adjustment period.
  • Starting in a senior role may be suitable for those with over a decade of experience.

These are just general recommendations. For any job, always check the job description and profile to see whether you are suitable. Good luck in your first job!

You might also like

Looking for a step-by-step guide?

Subscribe to the Savvy IMG and grab your FREE 2-year roadmap to UK residency as an IMG.

free

Looking for a step-by-step guide?

Subscribe to the Savvy IMG and grab your FREE 2-year roadmap to UK residency as an IMG.

free

62 Responses

  1. Hi Nick,
    Thanks for the useful information.
    I wonder if a charity based hospice, not in NHS system (although a certain percentage-30% of funds is from NHS), free service for community will be suitable for first UK job. The job description is more like a junior clinical fellow and other details fit my personal situation. I am interested in hospice care, but not sure if I will continue after a 12-month contract. As I can see some of job ads around from NHS jobs. need min 6-month paid NHS working experience. I wonder if my first job experience won’t help my CV a lot and help me with a smooth connection to next job. I presume the annual appraisal in the hospice will be recognised by GMC. I am confident with the supportive team and training/learning opportunities in the hospice.
    Kind regards,
    Jing

    1. Hi Jing, we don’t much about the hospice sector so can’t advise very much on this I’m afraid. The main thing for a first job is that it is supportive, you are working under supervision or have access to a senior, and it is an approved practise setting. I don’t know what the team and environment is like as these will be highly variable outside the NHS, so you’ll need to evaluate this for yourself and assess suitability. Regarding annual appraisal, as long as this is an approved practise setting then it should be ok. You can always call the GMC to check what this position meets their criteria for approved practise setting. Good luck!

  2. Greetings,

    when is the application process for non-training jobs? Can you apply all year round?
    Also, can someone apply for non-training jobs that are not acute medicine oriented? I’m interested in Ophthalmology and want to spend around 1-2 years in the UK to gain some experience and then return to my home country to do my specialty there.
    (I finished a 6-year medical school in 2019 and in 2020 I worked as a primary care physician in a rural area for 1 year)

    Thank you very much

    1. Hi Katia, yes applications for non-training jobs are open all year round. You can apply for any job as long as you meet the job requirements. If you don’t plan to enter training in the UK then what type of job is not so important. All the best!

  3. Hello Nick. I got my degree as a doctor outside of the UK. I’m living in London for 15 years and I want to retake my career as a doctor but considering that long career gap. Where I should start? Also I want to star a career in aesthetics Medicine but all the courses availables ask for GMC registration to be eligible to take the course.
    Thank you for all the useful information on this website.
    Kind regards

  4. Hello and thank you for your great website
    I wanted to ask you if we can find our first non-training job in any specialty to show commitment to that specific specialty( for example radiology) or we can just apply for some of them

    1. Yes, you can work in the that specialty to show commitment, but often just doing a taster week or clinical attachment is sufficient as well. Good luck!

  5. Hi, I’m aiming to practice as a consultant psychiatrist in the UK through the CESR-CP path after completing my Post-graduation in Psychiatry from India. What would be the first advisable non- training job for somebody who’s passed all 3 MRCPsych steps and has completed 3 years training in Psychiatry as a post-graduate?

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We have a wide range of social media tools to be able to use on our website. These tools include (but not limited to); Sharing, Likes, comments and submitting content both on and off our website. By using these tools, you are providing your consent to store and use the submitted data whether personal information or general information both on and off our website.

Legal basis for processing: your consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the General Data Protection Regulation). Consent: you give your consent to us storing and using submitted content using the steps described above.

We may also use this information to tailor any follow up sales and marketing communications with you. For further information, see the section of this privacy policy titled ‘Marketing Communications’.

Information you submit may be stored both inside and outside the European Economic Area on our servers as well as third-party servers such as Facebook.

For further information about the safeguards used when your information is transferred outside the European Economic Area.

Registering on our Website

When you register on our website or via teachable, we collect the following information; Your Name, Email.

If you do not provide the mandatory information required by the form, you will not be able to interact with our website or on Teachable.

You can view Teachable's privacy policy here https://teachable.com/privacy-policy

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interest: registering and administering accounts on our website to provide access to content, allows you to download content and facilitates the running and operation of our business.

We will also use this information to tailor any follow up sales and marketing communications with you. For further information, see the section of this privacy policy titled ‘Marketing Communications’.

Transfer and storage of your information

Information you submit to us via the registration form on our website may be stored outside the European Economic Area on our third-party hosting provider’s servers.

Marketing communications

Our content, goods and services

When signing up for content, registering on our website or making a payment, we will use the information you provide in order to contact you regarding related content, products and services.

We will continue to send you marketing communications in relation to similar goods and services if you do not opt out from receiving them.

You can opt-out from receiving marketing communications at any time by emailing info@thesavvyimg.co.uk

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interests: Sharing relevant, timely and industry-specific information on related business services, in order to assist your organisation, grow.

Third party goods and services

In addition to receiving information about our products and services, you can opt in to receiving marketing communications from us in relation third party goods and services by email by ticking a box indicating that you would like to receive such communications.

Legal basis for processing: consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Consent: you give your consent to us sending you information about third party goods and services by signing up to receive such information in accordance with the steps described above.

Transfer and storage of your information

Information for marketing campaigns will be stored outside the European Economic Area on our third-party mailing list provider’s servers in the United States.

For further information about the safeguards used when your information is transferred outside the European Economic Area, see the section of this privacy policy below entitled Transfers of your information outside the European Economic Area.

Use of tracking in emails

We use technologies such as tracking pixels (small graphic files) and tracked links in the emails we send to allow us to assess the level of engagement our emails receive by measuring information such as the delivery rates, open rates, click through rates and content engagement that our emails achieve.

Information obtained from third parties

This section sets out how we obtain or collect information about you from third parties.

Information received from third parties

We can often receive information about you from third parties. The third parties from which we receive information about you can include partner events within the marketing industry and other organisations that we have a professional affiliation with.

It is also possible that third parties with whom we have had no prior contact may provide us with information about you.

Information we obtain from third parties will generally be your name and contact details but will include any additional information about you which they provide to us.

Legal basis for processing: necessary to perform a contract or to take steps at your request to enter into a contract (Article 6(1)(b) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Reason why necessary to perform a contract: where a third party has passed on information about you to us (such as your name and email address) in order for us to provide services to you, we will process your information in order to take steps at your request to enter into a contract with you and perform a contract with you (as the case may be).

Legal basis for processing: consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Consent: where you have asked that a third party to share information about you with us and the purpose of sharing that information is not related to the performance of a contract or services by us to you, we will process your information on the basis of your consent, which you give by asking the third party in question to pass on your information to us.

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interests: where a third party has shared information about you with us and you have not consented to the sharing of that information, we will have a legitimate interest in processing that information in certain circumstances.

For example, we would have a legitimate interest in processing your information to perform our obligations under a sub-contract with the third party, where the third party has the main contract with you. Our legitimate interest is the performance of our obligations under our sub-contract.

Similarly, third parties may pass on information about you to us if you have infringed or potentially infringed any of our legal rights. In this case, we will have a legitimate interest in processing that information to investigate and pursue any such potential infringement.

Information obtained by us from third parties

In certain circumstances (for example, to verify the information we hold about you or obtain missing information we require to provide you with a service) we will obtain information about you from certain publicly accessible sources, both EU and non-EU, such as Companies House, online customer databases, business directories, media publications, social media, and websites (including your own website if you have one.

In certain circumstances will also obtain information about you from private sources, both EU and non-EU, such as marketing data services.

We will continue to send you marketing communications in relation to similar goods and services if you do not opt out from receiving them.

You can opt-out from receiving marketing communications at any time by emailing hello@thesavvyimg.co.uk

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interests: Sharing relevant, timely and industry-specific information on related business services.

Where we receive information about you in error

If we receive information about you from a third party in error and/or we do not have a legal basis for processing that information, we will delete your information.

Disclosure and additional uses of your information

This section sets out the circumstances in which will disclose information about you to third parties and any additional purposes for which we use your information.

Disclosure of your information to service providers

We use a number of third parties to provide us with services which are necessary to run our business or to assist us with running our business

These include the following: Internet services, IT service providers and web developers.

Our third-party service providers are located both inside and outside of the European Economic Area.

Your information will be shared with these service providers where necessary to provide you with the service you have requested, whether that is accessing our website or ordering goods and services from us.

We do not display the identities of our service providers publicly by name for security and competitive reasons. If you would like further information about the identities of our service providers, however, please contact us directly by email and we will provide you with such information where you have a legitimate reason for requesting it (where we have shared your information with such service providers, for example).

Legal basis for processing: legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interest relied on: where we share your information with these third parties in a context other than where is necessary to perform a contract (or take steps at your request to do so), we will share your information with such third parties in order to allow us to run and manage our business efficiently.

Legal basis for processing: necessary to perform a contract and/or to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract (Article 6(1)(b) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Reason why necessary to perform a contract: we may need to share information with our service providers to enable us to perform our obligations under that contract or to take the steps you have requested before we enter into a contract with you.

Disclosure and use of your information for legal reasons

Indicating possible criminal acts or threats to public security to a competent authority

If we suspect that criminal or potential criminal conduct has been occurred, we will in certain circumstances need to contact an appropriate authority, such as the police. This could be the case, for instance, if we suspect that we fraud or a cyber-crime has been committed or if we receive threats or malicious communications towards us or third parties.

We will generally only need to process your information for this purpose if you were involved or affected by such an incident in some way.

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interests: preventing crime or suspected criminal activity (such as fraud).

In connection with the enforcement or potential enforcement our legal rights

We will use your information in connection with the enforcement or potential enforcement of our legal rights, including, for example, sharing information with debt collection agencies if you do not pay amounts owed to us when you are contractually obliged to do so. Our legal rights may be contractual (where we have entered into a contract with you) or non-contractual (such as legal rights that we have under copyright law or tort law).

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interest: enforcing our legal rights and taking steps to enforce our legal rights.

In connection with a legal or potential legal dispute or proceedings

We may need to use your information if we are involved in a dispute with you or a third party for example, either to resolve the dispute or as part of any mediation, arbitration or court resolution or similar process.

Legal basis for processing: our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation).

Legitimate interest(s): resolving disputes and potential disputes.

How long we retain your information

This section sets out how long we retain your information. We have set out specific retention periods where possible. Where that has not been possible, we have set out the criteria we use to determine the retention period.

Retention periods

Server log information: we retain information on our server logs for 3 months.

Correspondence and enquiries: when you make an enquiry or correspond with us for any reason, whether by email or via our contact form or by phone, we will retain your information for as long as it takes to respond to and resolve your enquiry, and for 36 further month(s), after which point we will archive your information.

Newsletter: we retain the information you used to sign up for our newsletter for as long as you remain subscribed (i.e. you do not unsubscribe).

Membership: we retain the information you used to sign up for our memberships for as long as you remain subscribed (i.e. you do not unsubscribe).

Criteria for determining retention periods

In any other circumstances, we will retain your information for no longer than necessary, taking into account the following:

    • the purpose(s) and use of your information both now and in the future (such as whether it is necessary to continue to store that information in order to continue to perform our obligations under a contract with you or to contact you in the future);
    • whether we have any legal obligation to continue to process your information (such as any record-keeping obligations imposed by relevant law or regulation);
    • whether we have any legal basis to continue to process your information (such as your consent);
    • how valuable your information is (both now and in the future);
    • any relevant agreed industry practices on how long information should be retained;
    • the levels of risk, cost and liability involved with us continuing to hold the information;
    • how hard it is to ensure that the information can be kept up to date and accurate; and
    • any relevant surrounding circumstances (such as the nature and status of our relationship with you).

How we secure your information

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to secure your information and to protect it against unauthorised or unlawful use and accidental loss or destruction, including:

  • only sharing and providing access to your information to the minimum extent necessary, subject to confidentiality restrictions where appropriate, and on an anonymised basis wherever possible;
  • using secure servers to store your information;
  • verifying the identity of any individual who requests access to information prior to granting them access to information;
  • using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) software to encrypt any payment transactions you make on or via our website;
  • only transferring your information via closed system or encrypted data transfers;

Transmission of information to us by email

Transmission of information over the internet is not entirely secure, and if you submit any information to us over the internet (whether by email, via our website or any other means), you do so entirely at your own risk.

We cannot be responsible for any costs, expenses, loss of profits, harm to reputation, damages, liabilities or any other form of loss or damage suffered by you as a result of your decision to transmit information to us by such means.

Transfers of your information outside the European Economic Area

Your information may be transferred and stored outside the European Economic Area (EEA) in the circumstances set out earlier in this policy.

We will also transfer your information outside the EEA or to an international organisation in order to comply with legal obligations to which we are subject (compliance with a court order, for example). Where we are required to do so, we will ensure appropriate safeguards and protections are in place.

Your rights in relation to your information

Subject to certain limitations on certain rights, you have the following rights in relation to your information, which you can exercise by writing to the data controller using the details provided at the top of this policy.

  • to request access to your information and information related to our use and processing of your information;
  • to request the correction or deletion of your information;
  • to request that we restrict our use of your information;
  • to receive information which you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format (e.g. a CSV file) and the right to have that information transferred to another data controller (including a third-party data controller);
  • to object to the processing of your information for certain purposes (for further information, see the section below entitled Your right to object to the processing of your information for certain purposes); and
  • to withdraw your consent to our use of your information at any time where we rely on your consent to use or process that information. Please note that if you withdraw your consent, this will not affect the lawfulness of our use and processing of your information on the basis of your consent before the point in time when you withdraw your consent.

In accordance with Article 77 of the General Data Protection Regulation, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or of an alleged infringement of the General Data Protection Regulation.

Further information on your rights in relation to your personal data as an individual

You can find out further information about your rights, as well as information on any limitations which apply to those rights, by reading the underlying legislation contained in Articles 12 to 22 and 34 of the General Data Protection Regulation, which is available here:http://ec.europa.eu/justice/data-protection/reform/files/regulation_oj_en.pdf

Verifying your identity where you request access to your information

Where you request access to your information, we are required by law to use all reasonable measures to verify your identity before doing so.

These measures are designed to protect your information and to reduce the risk of identity fraud, identity theft or general unauthorised access to your information.

How we verify your identity

Where we possess appropriate information about you on file, we will attempt to verify your identity using that information.

If it is not possible to identity you from such information, or if we have insufficient information about you, we may require original or certified copies of certain documentation in order to be able to verify your identity before we are able to provide you with access to your information.

We will be able to confirm the precise information we require to verify your identity in your specific circumstances if and when you make such a request.

Your right to object

You have the following rights in relation to your information, which you may exercise in the same way as you may exercise by writing to the data controller using the details provided at the top of this policy.

  • to object to us using or processing your information where we use or process it in order
  • to carry out a task in the public interest or for our legitimate interests, including ‘profiling’ (i.e. analysing or predicting your behaviour based on your information) based on any of these purposes; and
  • to object to us using or processing your information for direct marketing purposes(including any profiling we engage in that is related to such direct marketing).

You may also exercise your right to object to us using or processing your information for direct marketing purposes by:

  • clicking the unsubscribe link contained at the bottom of any marketing email we send to you and following the instructions which appear in your browser following your clicking on that link;
  • sending an email to info@thesavvyimg.co.uk, asking that we stop sending you marketing communications or by including the words “OPT OUT”.

Sensitive Personal Information

‘Sensitive personal information’ is information about an individual that reveals their racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, genetic information, biometric information for the purpose of uniquely identifying an individual, information concerning health or information concerning a natural person’s sex life or sexual orientation.

Our website does not allow you to register any ‘Sensitive Information’, however if we ask for this, you will be considered to have explicitly consented to us processing that sensitive personal information under Article 9(2)(a) of the General Data Protection Regulation.

Changes to our Privacy Policy

We update and amend our Privacy Policy from time to time.

Minor changes to our Privacy Policy

Where we make minor changes to our Privacy Policy, we will update our Privacy Policy with a new effective date stated at the beginning of it. Our processing of your information will be governed by the practices set out in that new version of the Privacy Policy from its effective date onwards.

Major changes to our Privacy Policy or the purposes for which we process your information

Where we make major changes to our Privacy Policy or intend to use your information for a new purpose or a different purpose than the purposes for which we originally collected it, we will notify you by email (where possible) or by posting a notice on our website.

We will provide you with the information about the change in question and the purpose and any other relevant information before we use your information for that new purpose.

Wherever required, we will obtain your prior consent before using your information for a purpose that is different from the purposes for which we originally collected it.

Children’s Privacy

Because we care about the safety and privacy of children online, we comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA). COPPA and its accompanying regulations protect the privacy of children using the internet. We do not knowingly contact or collect information from persons under the age of 18. The website is not intended to solicit information of any kind from persons under the age of 18.

It is possible that we could receive information pertaining to persons under the age of 18 by the fraud or deception of a third party. If we are notified of this, as soon as we verify the information, we will, where required by law to do so, immediately obtain the appropriate parental consent to use that information or, if we are unable to obtain such parental consent, we will delete the information from our servers. If you would like to notify us of our receipt of information about persons under the age of 18, please do so by contacting us by using the details at the top of this policy.