View from the Chamber

IS YOUR business ready for GDPR? If you answered ‘what’s GDPR?’ then it sounds like the answer might be no.

GDPR stands for the General Data Protection Regulation and, although it sounds like something most of us would rather avoid, it’s actually a crucial new piece of legislation that all businesses must comply with.

GDPR is a major new change to the rules that govern how businesses store and use personal data. The new rules come into effect on May 25 this year.

Lochaber Chamber of Commerce presented a specialist seminar on GDPR led by Kirk Tudhope LLP of Ledingham Chalmers Solicitors last week.

Kirk heads Ledingham Chalmers’ employment team and is the only Law Society-accredited specialist in employment law based in the Highlands.

Staff from a wide variety of local businesses attended the fully-booked event at the Lime Tree Hotel to learn how to get ready for the new regulation.

The top tips are: ask yourself what personal information you hold and why you have it. Only hold what you need. You must be able to show that you have a good reason for holding information and you must use it in a way that is lawful, fair and transparent.

Kirk guided everyone through the key principles and offered guidance on next steps in an entertaining way.

Thanks go to Kirk for another useful and engaging seminar and to the Lime Tree Hotel for great hospitality.

If you’d like to know more about what to do for GDPR, you’ll find guidance on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.io.org.uk.

At Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, we’re committed to helping our members achieve their business goals. If you’d like to join us, please give us a call on 01397 705765 or visit www.lochaberchamber. co.uk.