Appoint a representative for all your data processing in the UK.

Regardless of where your business is located, if it operates in the UK without a legal UK entity, you need a UK representative to be UK GDPR compliant. Speak to our experts to appoint a representative hassle-free.

Talk to a UK data compliance expert

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What is a UK representative and why’s it important to have one?

A UK representative is a person or organization established in the United Kingdom and appointed by a company located outside the UK to act on its behalf in matters of compliance with the UK GDPR. This representative serves as an intermediary between the company, data subjects in the UK, and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Appointing a UK representative is a legal requirement for any foreign company that:

• Offer goods or services to individuals in the UK
• Monitor the behaviour of individuals in the UK

The representative must be formally authorized in writing to act on behalf of the company regarding its obligations under the UK GDPR. They may be an individual or a company established in the UK, such as a law firm or a consultancy specializing in data protection.

The representative’s contact details must be easily accessible—typically through the company’s website privacy policy—so that data subjects and authorities can contact them without difficulty.

It is important to note that appointing a representative does not exempt the company from its own responsibilities. The representative facilitates local communication, but the company remains fully accountable for ensuring compliance with data protection requirements.

Understanding responsibilities

Your UK representative will be your go-to liaison for all UK GDPR compliance matters.

It’s important that the individual or organization you assign as your UK representative has extensive experience and familiarity with UK GDPR regulation to avoid any regulatory shortfalls.

Talk to a UK data compliance expert

Local point of contact

Your UK representative acts as a local point of contact for data subjects and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on all matters related to the processing of personal data.

Record keeping

Your UK representative is responsible for holding and maintaining a record of your processing activities in accordance with Article 30 of the UK GDPR.

Streamlines communication

Your UK representative facilitates communication between your organization, data subjects, and the ICO whenever its needed.

Why choose DPO Consulting?

An expert firm in data protection, cybersecurity, and AI.

By choosing DPO Consulting, you have the flexibility to call on us at any time for complementary topics — whether it concerns additional data protection regulations or compliance with cybersecurity (NIS2, DORA) and artificial intelligence (AI Act) frameworks.

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A multidisciplinary firm.

Our extensive experience enables us to support you regardless of the legislation that applies to your organization (GDPR, AI Act, NIS2, DORA, nLPD, PDPDA, etc.).

A partner that adapts to your growing needs.

No matter your size, scale, or situation, we find a way to ensure you are GDPR-compliant.

Leave no detail overlooked.

Leverage our years of experience with GDPR compliance to avoid easy-to-make mistakes.

Get a solution tailored to your budget.

With offers that continuously adapt to your evolving needs.

Commonly asked questions on UK representatives.

What is the UK representative service?

The UK representative service (in the context of UK GDPR compliance) refers to the requirement for certain organizations outside of the UK to appoint a representative within the UK. This is for organizations that process personal data of individuals in the UK in connection with offering goods or services, or monitoring their behavior.

Do I need a UK representative?

It may be necessary for your organization to appoint a UK representative if you do not have a presence in the UK but process personal data of individuals in the UK. This requirement applies under the UK GDPR and mirrors the EU GDPR's provisions for appointing an EU representative.

Does GDPR apply in the UK?

GDPR applied in the UK before Brexit. However, post-Brexit, the UK has its own version of the GDPR, known as the UK GDPR, which largely mirrors the EU GDPR with some specific adaptations. Organizations located in the UK or targeting the UK market must comply with their version of the GDPR

Can a UK representative be the same person as a EU representative?

Yes, the same person can fulfill the roles of both UK representative and EU representative if the organization processes personal data of individuals in both the UK and the EU. This allows for streamlined communication and compliance efforts across both jurisdictions, provided the individual can effectively manage the responsibilities of each role.

What does a UK representative do?

A UK representative’s responsibilities vary from organization to organization. The UK representative would be primarily responsible for supporting the business in achieving GDPR compliance.

Who manages GDPR in the UK? Who is the UK regulatory body for data protection?

The regulatory body for data protection in the UK is the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). It's an independent authority that oversees compliance with data protection regulations, including the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), Data Protection Act 2018, and related laws.

Appoint a representative for all your data processing in the UK.

What is a UK representative and why’s it important to have one?