Who we are

Food and Wine Lovers Association (“the Association”, “we”, “us”) is the data controller for members' personal data, as set out in our Constitution. Our correspondence address is 80b Elliscombe Road, SE7 7PY, London (UK). For any privacy query, contact the Committee at fwl-uk@outlook.com.

What information we collect
When you join, we ask for:
• Full name and email address (required)
• Postal address (required)
• Your role in the hospitality sector, e.g. Chef, Sommelier, F&B Manager, Hospitality Operator, Enthusiast (optional)
• Your interests in Italian food and wine culture, and the kind of content you'd like from us (optional)
• Any other information you choose to share with us, including at events (e.g. dietary requirements, for that event only)
If you were a member of our Facebook or WhatsApp group before joining the Association, we may also hold information from those groups, carried across with your consent as part of joining.

Why we use your data, and our legal basis
• To manage your membership, keep our records, and organise General Meetings — in the Association's legitimate interest in running itself, and to deliver the membership you signed up for.
• To communicate with you about events, tastings and Association news — legitimate interest, or your consent where you've opted into a specific channel (e.g. our WhatsApp group).
• Only where you give specific, separate consent: to let a Patron (such as TIP – The Italian Pantry, Ealing Wine Club or MIE) know about their own events or offers relevant to you. You can withdraw this consent at any time — see “Your choices” below.

Sharing your data
We do not share your data with a Patron, sponsor or any third party for commercial purposes unless you have given specific consent for that purpose. We may occasionally forward an invitation to a Patron's event using our own mailing list; you can opt out of this specific type of communication at any time while remaining a member in every other respect.
We use the following external platforms to run the Association, each acting under its own privacy policy and potentially processing data outside the UK:
• Zeffy — to manage membership sign-ups, records and any voluntary donations.
• WhatsApp (Meta) — for members who choose to join our group, via a link we provide; we do not collect or store your phone number ourselves for this purpose.

Special category data
If we ask about dietary requirements or allergies ahead of a specific event, we use this only to plan that event safely, and do not keep it as part of your permanent membership profile beyond what is needed for that purpose.
How long we keep your data
We keep your data for as long as you are a member, and for a reasonable period afterwards to maintain our records, after which it is deleted.

Your rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to access, correct, delete or restrict the use of your data, to object to its use, and to withdraw consent at any time. To exercise these rights, contact the Committee at fwl-uk@outlook.com. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk) if you believe your data has been mishandled.

Your choices
• Join our WhatsApp group — optional, via the link in your welcome email.
• Receive Patron event invitations — optional; opt out at any time by contacting us, while remaining a member and continuing to receive the Association's own communications.

Changes to this notice
We may update this notice from time to time. The latest version is always available at https://foodandwinelovers.bitrix24.site/privacy/, and is referenced when you join and in our welcome email.