Cookies Policy - Mercury Hampton Ltd

1. What are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

We also use similar technologies such as tracking pixels, beacons and link tracking, which work in a comparable way.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser.
• Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period.
• First-Party Cookies: Set directly by our website.
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by third-party service providers.
• Tracking Pixels and Beacons: Small images or code snippets used for tracking activity (for example in emails).

3. Purpose of Cookies

• Strictly Necessary: Essential for basic website functions and security.
• Performance: Collect anonymous data on site usage to improve functionality.
• Functional: Enable enhanced website features and personalisation.
• Targeting and Advertising: Track browsing habits to help us understand interest and engagement and, where applicable, display relevant content or ads.

4. Persistent vs Session Cookies

• Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a specified period and remember your preferences or actions across multiple visits.
• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser and help you navigate our site during a single visit.

5. Force24 Cookies and Tracking

Our organisation uses Force24’s marketing automation platform. Force24 cookies are first party cookies and are enabled at the point of cookie acceptance on this website.

The Force24 cookies used are:

• f24_autoId – A temporary identifier on your device that helps us track anonymous information which can later be associated with f24_personId. If it remains anonymous it will be deleted after 6 months. This cookie is non‑essential, first party, persistent (up to 1 year).
• f24_personId – An ID generated per individual contact in the Force24 system to track behaviour and form submissions into the Force24 system from external sources per user. This is used for personalisation and segmentation for further communications. This cookie is non‑essential, first party, persistent (up to 1 year).

The information stored by Force24 cookies remains anonymous until one of the following occurs:

• You visit our website by clicking from an email or SMS message sent via the Force24 platform and accept cookies on the website; or
• You complete a form containing your email address on our website or on Force24 landing pages.

Force24 cookies will remain on your device for up to 1 year unless you delete them sooner via your browser settings or our cookie management tool.

Other Force24 Tracking

We also use similar technologies, including tracking pixels and link tracking, to monitor engagement with our communications:

• Device & browser type and open statistics: All emails may contain a tracking pixel (a tiny invisible image) with a query string in the URL. Within this URL we include user details that help us identify who opened an email for statistical and reporting purposes.
• Link tracking: All links within emails and SMS messages sent from the Force24 platform may contain a unique tracking reference. This reference helps us identify which recipients clicked specific links, again for statistical and reporting purposes.

These technologies support our ability to understand audience engagement and optimise future marketing activity. They are treated as non‑essential and are only used where consent has been given.

6. Managing your Cookie Preferences

a) Browser Settings

You can manage cookies through your browser settings. For example:

• Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies

b) Our Cookie Management Tool

You can use our on‑site cookie management tool to customise your cookie preferences at any time, including Force24 and other non‑essential
cookies.

c) Third-Party Opt-Out

Some third-party providers offer their own opt‑out tools for their cookies and tracking technologies.

7. Explicit Consent and Non-Essential Cookies

• We obtain explicit consent before setting any non‑essential cookies (including Force24 cookies and similar tracking).
• No non‑essential cookies are pre‑enabled or set without your active consent.
• You can refuse non‑essential cookies without detriment to your basic website experience.

8. No Cookie Walls

• Our website does not use “cookie walls”.
• You can access our website regardless of whether you accept non‑essential cookies.

9. Cookie Management Process

• A clear cookie banner is displayed on your first visit.
• You can accept or reject non‑essential cookies.
• Essential cookies are set by default for basic site functionality.
• Your choices are recorded and respected across sessions.
• You can change your preferences at any time via our cookie management tool.

10. Right to Withdraw Consent

You have the right to withdraw your consent for non‑essential cookies at any time:

• You can withdraw consent as easily as you gave it, at any time and without justification.
• Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
• To withdraw consent, use our cookie management tool or contact us using the details below.
• Upon withdrawal of consent, we will stop processing your data collected through the relevant cookies as soon as technically feasible.
• Withdrawing consent for certain cookies may impact some enhanced features but not the basic use of our website.
• Essential cookies, which are necessary for the basic functionality of our website, will continue to operate even if you withdraw consent for other types of cookies.

11. Retention Period and Cookie Lifespan

We aim to retain cookies for no longer than necessary to fulfil their purpose. Our general retention period for cookies is up to 2 years to cover all platforms. Specific examples include (subject to change by providers):

• Force24 cookies: up to 1 year (see section 5)
• Google Analytics cookies: up to 1 year
• LinkedIn cookies: 1 day to 6 months
• Goodhire cookies: around 2 hours

We regularly review our cookie usage and update this policy accordingly.

12. Contact Information

For questions about our cookie practices, including Force24 and other tracking technologies, please contact us at:

• Email: info@mercuryhampton.com
• Phone: +44 1925 937311
• Address: Mercury Hampton
  Ltd, Centrix House, Crow Lane, Newton-le-Willows, St Helens, WA12 9UY, England