Legal & policies

1. Who we are

The data controller is The Networker Group Ltd (Company No. 15252227), Magpas HQ, Barnwell Road, Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 4YF.

Data protection enquiries: hello@the-networker.co.uk.

2. What data we collect

Depending on how you use the Hub, we may process:

• Identity & contact data — name, email address, telephone number, business name
• Account data — login credentials (passwords are hashed; we do not store plain-text passwords), account preferences, attendee/organiser mode
• Transaction data — event registrations, ticket quantities, guest names, payment status, Stripe checkout session and payment intent references (card details are processed by Stripe; we do not store full card numbers)
• Event & listing data — events you save, reviews you submit, organiser profiles, business opportunity listings and enquiries
• Technical data — IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited and referral source
• Communications — messages you send us, support requests, and emails we send in relation to your account or bookings

3. How we use your data

• Create and manage your account and authenticate sign-in
• Process event registrations and ticket purchases via Stripe
• Display organiser dashboards, attendee dashboards and opportunity listings
• Send booking confirmations, reminders, password resets and service messages
• Facilitate enquiries between members and opportunity listers
• Improve platform security, performance and user experience
• Comply with legal, tax and regulatory obligations
• Send marketing communications where you have opted in (you may unsubscribe at any time)

4. Lawful bases for processing

• Contract — to provide the Hub, process bookings and manage your account
• Legitimate interests — to operate and improve the platform, prevent fraud, and ensure network safety, balanced against your rights
• Consent — for non-essential cookies and optional marketing emails
• Legal obligation — where we must retain records for tax, accounting or regulatory purposes

5. Who we share data with

We do not sell your personal data. We share it only where necessary with trusted processors under appropriate contractual safeguards:

• Stripe — payment processing and payouts to organisers
• Supabase — database hosting, authentication and file storage
• Resend — transactional and service emails
• Vercel — website hosting and privacy-friendly analytics
• Event organisers — attendee name, email and guest details needed to run events you book
• Law enforcement or regulators — where required by law

6. How long we keep data

• Active account data — for the life of your account plus up to 2 years after closure, unless a longer period is required
• Transaction and financial records — 7 years for tax and accounting compliance
• Event registration records — 2 years after the event date, or longer if needed for disputes
• Marketing preferences — until you withdraw consent or unsubscribe
• Support enquiries — 1 year from resolution, unless related to an active dispute

7. Your rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict, object to processing, and data portability (where applicable). You may also withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

To exercise your rights, email hello@the-networker.co.uk. We respond within one month. You may complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or 0303 123 1113.

8. Security and breaches

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data. In the event of a personal data breach likely to affect your rights, we will notify the ICO within 72 hours where required and inform you without undue delay where there is a high risk to you.

1. About us and the platform

The Networker Group Ltd (Company No. 15252227, VAT No. 454 4092 94) provides an online platform connecting attendees with event organisers and business opportunity listers across the UK.

Unless we expressly state otherwise on an event page, we are a platform provider, not the organiser of third-party events. Your contract to attend a paid event is with the organiser identified on the event listing.

2. Eligibility and accounts

• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, or have verifiable parental/guardian consent
• You must provide accurate, current information and keep your account secure
• Accounts are personal and must not be shared or transferred without our consent
• We may suspend or terminate accounts that breach these Terms or our Acceptable Use policy

3. Platform services

• Event discovery & ticketing — browse listings, save events, and purchase tickets where enabled
• Organiser tools — list events, manage attendees, and receive payments via Stripe (subject to Organiser Terms)
• Business opportunities — browse listings and submit enquiries; we do not guarantee outcomes of any business relationship

4. Bookings and payments

• Prices, availability and event details are set by organisers and displayed before you complete checkout
• Payments are processed by Stripe. By paying, you also agree to Stripe’s applicable terms
• A booking fee (4.5% + 20p per ticket) may apply at checkout. This covers platform and payment processing and is shown before you pay
• Booking confirmations are sent by email. It is your responsibility to provide a correct email address
• Guest names submitted at checkout are shared with the organiser to manage attendance

5. Consumer information (UK)

Where you book as a consumer, we and/or the organiser will provide pre-contract information required by the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, including the main characteristics of the service, total price, identity of the trader, and cancellation rights where applicable.

See our Refunds & cancellations policy for detail on cancellation rights. Statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 are not affected.

6. Your responsibilities

• Use the Hub lawfully and in accordance with our Acceptable Use policy
• Do not scrape, reverse-engineer, or attempt unauthorised access to the platform
• Do not submit false reviews, misleading listings, or fraudulent enquiries
• Respect intellectual property rights in Hub content and third-party listings

7. Intellectual property

Hub branding, software, design and original content are owned by The Networker Group Ltd or its licensors. You may not copy, modify or distribute them without written permission. Organisers retain rights in their own listing content but grant us a licence to display it on the Hub.

8. Liability

We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect or consequential loss. We are not responsible for the conduct of organisers, attendees, or third parties, nor for the quality, safety or legality of events or business opportunities listed on the Hub.

Nothing in these Terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any liability that cannot be excluded under UK law. Our total liability to you for any claim arising from platform use shall not exceed the greater of (a) £100 or (b) the total fees you paid to us (not organisers) in the 12 months before the claim.

9. Changes and governing law

We may update these Terms. Material changes will be communicated via the Hub or email where appropriate. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction, without prejudice to mandatory consumer protections in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

1. Who you are buying from

For most paid events, your contract is with the event organiser, not The Networker Group Ltd. We provide the booking technology and payment processing. The organiser is responsible for delivering the event and for honouring their stated refund policy.

Where The Networker Group Ltd is named as the seller on the checkout page, we are the trader and this policy applies directly.

2. Before you book

• Review the event page for date, time, location, price, and any organiser-specific terms
• Check whether the event is free, paid, or invitation-only
• Note the organiser’s refund policy where displayed — organisers may set their own reasonable terms provided they comply with UK consumer law
• Ensure guest names entered at checkout are correct; changes may require organiser approval

3. Cancellation rights (consumers)

Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, consumers generally have a 14-day cancellation right for distance contracts. However, this right does not apply to leisure or entertainment services relating to a specific date or period (such as event tickets for a fixed date), where the trader has informed you of this exemption.

4. Event cancelled or materially changed

• Cancelled by organiser — you are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price paid (including any mandatory booking fees shown at checkout). Refunds are processed via Stripe to your original payment method within 14 days of cancellation notification
• Postponed or relocated — the organiser should offer a transfer to the new date or a refund. If the change is significant and you can no longer attend, you may have a right to a refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015
• Hub-initiated removal — if we remove a fraudulent or non-compliant listing before the event, we will work with the organiser and Stripe to arrange appropriate refunds

5. Attendee-initiated cancellations

• Free events — cancel your registration through your account or by contacting the organiser; repeated no-shows may affect future bookings
• Paid events — governed by the organiser’s stated policy. Common approaches include full refund if cancelled 7+ days before, partial refund within 7 days, or no refund within 48 hours — but the policy shown at booking prevails
• Unable to attend — unless the organiser permits transfers, tickets are generally non-transferable without their consent

To request a refund, contact the organiser first via the event listing. If unresolved, email hello@the-networker.co.uk with your booking reference and we will help facilitate where possible.

6. Failed, duplicate or unauthorised payments

• Failed payments are not charged; retry checkout if your booking was not confirmed
• Duplicate charges caused by a technical error will be refunded promptly once verified
• Report unauthorised card use to your bank immediately and notify us

7. Business opportunity listings

Browsing business opportunities is free. Enquiries do not constitute a purchase contract on the Hub. Any investment, franchise or partnership agreement is solely between you and the lister. Due diligence is your responsibility. Paid premium listing fees for organisers are generally non-refundable once the listing is published, except where required by law or we fail to deliver the purchased service.

8. Chargebacks and disputes

If you dispute a charge with your card issuer, Stripe’s dispute process applies. We and the organiser may submit evidence of the booking and event terms. Please contact us before raising a chargeback so we can try to resolve the issue directly.

1. Your obligations

• Provide accurate, complete and lawful event and opportunity listings
• Honour bookings and deliver events as described
• Display a clear refund and cancellation policy before attendees purchase paid tickets
• Comply with UK consumer law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013
• Hold appropriate insurance, licences and permissions for your events and business activities
• Respond to attendee and enquiry communications promptly and professionally
• Process attendee data only for event administration and in compliance with UK GDPR

2. Payments and fees

• Ticket payments are processed via Stripe. You must complete Stripe Connect onboarding to receive payouts
• Attendees pay a booking fee at checkout (4.5% + 20p per ticket), which covers platform and payment processing. You receive the full ticket price you set
• You are responsible for your own tax, VAT and accounting obligations on ticket revenue
• We may withhold payouts where there is evidence of fraud, chargebacks or material breach of these terms

3. Refunds you must honour

You must refund attendees where required by law, including when you cancel an event or make a material change that the attendee cannot reasonably accept. Refunds should be issued via the Hub/Stripe payment flow where possible within 14 days.

4. Business opportunities

• Listings must be truthful and not misleading. You must have authority to promote the opportunity
• You are not permitted to list unlawful schemes, pyramid selling, or unregulated financial products without appropriate FCA authorisation
• Respond to member enquiries in good faith and within a reasonable timeframe

5. Content and moderation

We may edit, suspend or remove listings that breach our Acceptable Use policy, mislead users, or create legal or reputational risk. Repeated breaches may result in permanent removal and withholding of outstanding payouts pending dispute resolution.

6. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify The Networker Group Ltd against claims, losses and costs arising from your listings, events, breach of these terms, or violation of third-party rights, except where caused by our negligence.

1. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help sites remember your preferences, keep you signed in, and understand how the site is used.

2. Cookies we use

• Strictly necessary — authentication sessions, security tokens, and hub view preferences (e.g. attendee/organiser mode). These are essential and cannot be switched off
• Functional — remember dashboard preferences and session cache for navigation performance
• Analytics — Vercel Web Analytics helps us understand page views and performance. We configure this to minimise personal data collection
• Third-party (during checkout) — Stripe may set cookies when you complete a payment
• Maps — map views may load resources from third-party providers (e.g. OpenStreetMap/Leaflet tiles)

3. Managing cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings — block, delete, or be notified when cookies are set. Blocking strictly necessary cookies may prevent you from signing in or completing bookings.

1. Prohibited conduct

• Harassment, discrimination, hate speech, or threatening behaviour
• Spam, unsolicited bulk marketing, or scraping member contact details
• Fraudulent listings, fake events, or misleading business opportunities
• Fake or incentivised reviews (see CMA guidance on online reviews)
• Impersonation of another person or business
• Uploading malware or attempting to compromise platform security

2. Reviews

Reviews must reflect genuine personal experience. Organisers must not offer incentives for positive reviews or submit reviews of their own events. We may remove reviews that are abusive, defamatory, or clearly fabricated.

3. Enforcement

Breaches may result in warning, content removal, account suspension or permanent ban. Serious breaches may be reported to law enforcement. Fees are non-refundable where accounts are terminated for breach.

1. Sponsor Hub placements

Sponsored placements on event and opportunity pages are paid advertising clearly labelled as “Sponsored” or “Sponsor Hub”. Payment does not imply our endorsement of the sponsor. See our advertising & sponsorship page for placement details and guide pricing.

2. Affiliate and third-party links

Where we use affiliate links, we will disclose this. Third-party websites linked from the Hub are not under our control and we are not responsible for their content or privacy practices.

3. Enquiries

Sponsorship enquiries: sales@the-networker.co.uk

1. What we are doing

• Using semantic HTML, labels, and ARIA attributes on key interactive components
• Maintaining sufficient colour contrast on primary UI elements
• Supporting keyboard navigation on forms, modals, and policy pages
• Providing text alternatives for non-text content where feasible

2. Known limitations

• Some third-party embeds (maps, Stripe checkout, video) may not fully meet WCAG standards
• Older organiser dashboard screens are being improved incrementally
• PDF or document downloads, if added, may not always be fully accessible

3. Feedback and enforcement

If you have difficulty using any part of the Hub, email hello@the-networker.co.uk with the page URL and a description of the issue. We aim to respond within 10 working days.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

1. Company information

• Company name: The Networker Group Ltd
• Registered in: England and Wales
• Company number: 15252227
• VAT number: 454 4092 94
• Registered address: Magpas HQ, Barnwell Road, Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 4YF
• Email: hello@the-networker.co.uk
• Website: www.the-networker.co.uk

2. Regulatory status

The Networker Group Ltd is not an FCA-authorised firm and does not provide regulated financial, investment or legal advice. Business opportunity listings are informational only. Always take independent professional advice before entering commercial arrangements.

3. Complaints procedure

Email hello@the-networker.co.uk with “Complaint” in the subject line. We aim to acknowledge within 2 working days and provide a substantive response within 14 days. If unresolved:

• Data protection: ICO — ico.org.uk / 0303 123 1113
• Consumer issues: Citizens Advice — citizensadvice.org.uk
• Advertising: ASA — asa.org.uk

4. Policy updates

We review policies regularly. The date at the top of each section shows when it was last updated. Material changes will be communicated via the Hub or by email to registered users where appropriate.