Privacy policy

Last updated: 1st September 2025

Who we are

Elevate Business Finance Limited (“Elevate”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) is a credit broker, not a lender. We are based at:

Registered Address: 5 West Ct, Enterprise Rd, Maidstone ME15 6JD
Telephone: 01622 278935
Email: hello@elevatebusinessfinance.co.uk

We can introduce you to a panel of lenders and their finance products. We are not an independent financial adviser – we provide details of products available, but we do not give advice or recommendations. You must decide whether a finance product is right for you. We do not charge you a fee for our services. Whichever lender we introduce you to, we will typically receive commission from them. Commission rates may vary across our lender panel.

Our aim is to secure the most appropriate finance for you at the lowest available cost from our panel.

Our legal grounds for handling your personal data

We rely on the following lawful bases under the UK GDPR:

Performance of a contract – we need to process your data to arrange and administer finance products.
Compliance with legal obligations – e.g., anti-money laundering, fraud prevention, and financial crime regulations.
Legitimate interests – such as preventing fraud, managing risk, developing our services, and ensuring business efficiency.
Consent – e.g., for marketing communications or where we ask for additional sensitive information. You can withdraw consent at any time.

What personal data we collect

We may collect personal and business data about you from:

Information you provide directly

Personal details (name, address, email, phone number, date of birth, NI number).
Business details (company registration, trading history, financial statements).
Identification documents (passport, driving licence, proof of address).
Financial details (bank account, assets and liabilities, borrowing purpose).
Communication with us (emails, calls, application forms, online forms).
Survey or feedback responses.

Information we generate or observe

Transaction and application data (type of finance, term, assets financed).
Payment history and repayment details.
Website usage data (cookies, browsing behaviour).

Information from third parties

Introducers, brokers, and business partners.
Credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, Creditsafe, TransUnion).
Fraud prevention agencies.
Publicly available sources (Companies House, Land Registry, electoral roll).
Professional advisers (lawyers, accountants).

Why We Collect Your Data

We collect and process your data for the following reasons:

To assess finance applications and provide services. (Legal basis: contract performance)
To carry out due diligence, credit checks, and fraud prevention. (Legal basis: legal obligation, legitimate interest)
To manage agreements, provide customer service, and handle renewals. (Legal basis: contract performance)
For business analysis, product development, and service improvement. (Legal basis: legitimate interest)
For regulatory reporting and compliance. (Legal basis: legal obligation)
To recover money owed and share data with CRAs and fraud agencies. (Legal basis: contract performance, legal obligation)
To carry out marketing (with consent or legitimate interest). (Legal basis: consent, legitimate interest)

Credit reference and fraud prevention

When you apply for finance, we may supply your data to credit reference agencies. They will provide us with information about your credit history and may leave a search footprint visible to other lenders.

We may continue to exchange information with CRAs during your agreement, including repayment performance. Your data may also be shared with fraud prevention agencies. If fraud or money laundering is suspected, your information may be held for up to six years.

Further information about how CRAs use your data is available in the Credit Reference Agency Information Notice (CRAIN).

When we share your data

We may share your data with:

Lenders, brokers, introducers, and agents.
IT and system providers, auditors, and professional advisers.
Customer service providers, repossession agents, debt collectors.
CRAs, fraud prevention agencies, regulators, and law enforcement.
Any party you authorise us to communicate with.

In the event of a merger, transfer, or sale of our business, your data may be shared with other parties who agree to keep it safe and use it in line with this notice.

Automated decisions

Some lender partners may use automated decision-making (e.g., instant credit checks). You have the right to request human review of any automated decision.

Consequences of Not Providing Data

If you do not provide required information, we may be unable to proceed with an application or comply with our legal obligations, and we may be unable to offer finance services.

How Long We Keep Your Data

We retain your personal data for as long as you are a customer and thereafter for the minimum period required by law. Typically:

Customer records: up to 6 years after account closure.
Credit reference data: 6 years from settlement or default.
Records relating to complaints: 6 years.

In some cases, data may be anonymised for research and statistical purposes.

Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

Request access to the data we hold on you.
Request correction or erasure of data.
Restrict or object to processing.
Request data portability.
Withdraw consent (where applicable).
Lodge a complaint with the ICO.

Information Commissioner’s Office
Address: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Website: www.ico.org.uk

Marketing

We may use your data for marketing purposes where you have given consent or we have a legitimate interest. You can opt out of marketing communications at any time.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Notice, please contact us at:

Elevate Business Finance
Email: hello@elevatebusinessfinance.co.uk
Telephone: 01622 278935
Address: 5 West Ct, Enterprise Rd, Maidstone ME15 6JD