Policy
Data retention schedule
How long we keep different types of information.
Last updated 13 October 2026
Draft for review. This policy is starter text supplied with the platform. The Guild's trustees or founding team must review it, and take professional advice where appropriate, before launch.
| Record | Retention |
|---|---|
| Unsuccessful membership applications | 12 months after the decision |
| Membership records | Duration of membership + 6 years |
| Employment-support requests and documents | 6 years after the request is closed (to cover legal claims), then deleted |
| Competency self-assessments | Until you delete them, or 2 years after membership ends |
| Consultation responses | Up to 3 years, or anonymised for research |
| Contract builder drafts and CPD records | Until you delete them, or 2 years after membership ends |
| Mentor profiles | Until you remove them, or when membership ends |
| Mentoring requests and mentorships | 2 years after they end, are declined or are withdrawn |
| Job adverts (including advertisers' contact details) | 12 months after the closing date |
| Fair Employer Charter submissions | While listed; declined submissions 12 months |
| Contact-form messages | 2 years |
| Security and audit logs | 6 years |
| Development email logs | Not used in production |
Records are reviewed annually and deleted or anonymised at the end of their retention period.