Privacy policy
Last updated 2 June 2026.
Hi, I'm Michael, and I run Beacon Trades. This is the plain-English version of what I do with your information: no jargon, no thousand-word wall. If anything here isn't clear, just email me at hello@beacontrades.co.uk and I'll explain it properly.
Who I am
Beacon Trades is just me, Michael O'Connor, a sole trader. I'm registered with the ICO (registration ZC163067). To ask anything about your data, email hello@beacontrades.co.uk or write to 13 Berwyn Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 5BP.
What I collect, and when
Only what you hand me. If you email me or book a call, I keep your name, email, phone and whatever you tell me, so I can get back to you. Bookings run through Cal.com on my behalf. For visitor numbers I use Vercel's privacy-friendly analytics, which is anonymous and sets no cookies. My host keeps the usual server logs for security.
The AI booking assistant
When you chat to it, what you type (maybe your name, number and the job you need doing) is read by my AI provider, Anthropic, so it can help get you booked in. Your messages aren't used to train any AI, and I only keep them for as long as it takes to sort your enquiry. Using it is optional, and you can always call or email instead.
How I reach out to businesses
I email heating and plumbing firms using contact details they've published. My basis for this is legitimate interests, I only ever contact limited companies, and every email says who I am, gives an address, and tells you how to opt out. I stop the second you ask.
Where your data goes (outside the UK)
A few of the tools I rely on are based abroad, mostly in the US: Vercel, Cal.com and Anthropic. When data goes overseas it's covered by proper safeguards, like the UK Extension to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework or the ICO's International Data Transfer Agreement.
Who else sees it
Only the services that actually run things: Cal.com for bookings, Anthropic for the assistant, my email provider, and Vercel for hosting and analytics. I don't sell your data, ever.
How long I keep it
Only as long as I need it. Businesses I've emailed who don't reply are deleted within 6 months. If you opt out, I keep just your email address so I never contact you again by mistake. If you become a client, I keep our records for as long as we work together and for as long as the law (tax, mostly) requires.
Your rights
You can ask to see your data, fix it, delete it, or tell me to stop using it, including an absolute right to say no to marketing. Email me and I'll sort it. If you're ever unhappy with how I've handled things, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.
Cookies
I don't set any analytics or marketing cookies, so there's no cookie banner. If you book through the Cal.com embed, Cal.com may set its own, and that's covered by their policy.