Cookie Policy

Last updated: 14 June 2026

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide a better user experience, and provide information to website owners.

We use cookies to understand how you interact with our website, remember your preferences, and provide you with relevant content and services.

Cookie Categories We Use

We categorise the cookies and similar technologies we use into the types below. You can control any non-essential cookies through our cookie consent banner.

Current status: by default this website sets no analytics or marketing cookies, we only store your consent choice (see below). If you accept cookies, our analytics provider (Google Analytics 4, loaded through Google Tag Manager) and our live-chat widget (Tawk.to) load and set third-party cookies. Nothing in these optional categories is set unless you accept.

Strictly Necessary (Always Active)

These are needed for the website to work and to remember the choices you make. To remember your cookie choice we store a single value, hdc_consent, in your browser's local storage. It is not a tracking cookie and it is not sent to our servers, it simply records whether you accepted or rejected non-essential cookies so we do not ask on every visit. You can clear it at any time through your browser settings.

Analytics Cookies (Optional)

These cookies let us count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the site's performance. They are only ever set if you accept them. We use Google Analytics 4, loaded through Google Tag Manager. Until you accept, Google Consent Mode keeps analytics_storage denied and no analytics cookies are stored on your device.

_ga — Google Analytics. Distinguishes one visitor from another. Expires after 2 years.
_ga_<stream id> — Google Analytics. Keeps track of your session so visits aren't double-counted. Expires after 2 years.

Live Chat (Optional)

We use Tawk.to to offer live chat support. When you accept cookies, the Tawk.to widget loads and may set third-party cookies (for example, to remember your chat session). It is only loaded if you accept, if you decline, the widget does not load and no chat cookies are set. See Tawk.to's privacy policy for the cookies it uses.

Marketing Cookies (Optional)

We do not use advertising or remarketing cookies. If we add any in future, we will update this policy and ask for your consent before any are set.

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have full control over which non-essential cookies we use. You can manage your preferences in the following ways:

Cookie Consent Banner: When you first visit our website, you'll see a banner allowing you to accept or reject non-essential cookies.
Browser Settings: Most web browsers allow you to control or clear cookies and local storage through their settings. Clearing the hdc_consent value will make the consent banner appear again on your next visit.

Browser Cookie Controls:

Consent Duration and Re-consent

Your choice is stored in your browser until you clear your browser storage or change it. You can withdraw or change your consent at any time by clearing the hdc_consent value through your browser settings, which will make the consent banner appear again.

Third-Party Cookies

With your consent, our analytics provider Google Analytics 4 (loaded through Google Tag Manager, see Google's privacy policy) and our live-chat provider Tawk.to (see their privacy policy) set third-party cookies. Any such cookies are only ever set if you accept.

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, regulatory, or operational reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

More Information

For more detailed information about how we process your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.

To learn more about cookies in general, visit www.aboutcookies.org or www.allaboutcookies.org.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

Legal entity: HDCH Limited t/a HDC Consultancy (company no. 16237398)
Email: info@hdcconsultancy.co.uk
Registered office: Unit 12, Yeomanry Road, Battlefield, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 3EH, United Kingdom
Contact Form: Visit our contact page