Skip to main content

The What If Experiment Privacy Notice

Introduction: Belonging at the Heart of Our Work

At The What If Experiment, we believe belonging isn’t just a feeling — it’s a fundamental right. Our work is rooted in creating spaces where everyone, especially those who’ve been historically excluded, can show up fully and safely as themselves. To do this, we know that trust matters.

That’s why we’re committed to respecting your personal information, being transparent about how we use it, and keeping it safe. This privacy notice explains what data we collect, why we collect it, and how we protect it — so you can engage with us with confidence, knowing your privacy is valued as much as your sense of belonging.

 

The What If Experiment Privacy Notice

This page explains how The What If Experiment (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, and protects your personal information. We promise to respect any personal data you share with us and keep it safe. We aim to be clear and transparent about what we do with your data and won’t do anything you wouldn’t reasonably expect.

This policy complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and is designed to be easy to understand.

 

Who We Are

The What If Experiment is a Social Enterprise. 

We are a registered Limited company in England and Wales. Company number: 13773527.

Our Company Director is Sade Banks-Tubi. 

Our Trading Address (where our offices are) is: Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA

Our Legal Address (on Companies House) is: 60 Tottenham Court Road, Office 53, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 2EW.

 

What Information We Collect About You

We collect personal data you choose to provide through:

  • Surveys, applications, and programme submissions
  • Mailing list sign-ups
  • Testimonials gathered through partnership work (see below)
  • Workshop or event bookings
  • Correspondence with us.

Personal information we may collect includes:

  • Name, pronouns, gender, and date of birth
  • Postal or work address, email address, and phone number
  • Information on your interests, work, or access needs
  • Testimonials of your experience of a working environment (see below)
  • Details of correspondence and communication preferences
  • Records of event attendance or participation in our programmes

When we ask for your personal information, we’ll let you know why we’re asking and how we’ll use it by referring you to this notice.

How We Use Your Information

Depending on how you engage with The What If Experiment and the preferences you share, we may use your data to:

  • Send you updates about our events, programmes, or other activities related to our work.
  • Share newsletters or emails with insights, opportunities, and news.
  • Invite you to share feedback or complete surveys.
  • Occasionally request your support for our mission, such as by volunteering your time to test new products. 
  • Anonymously report on the impact of our work 
  • Check and update our records to make sure your information is accurate.

We may also use tools to measure the effectiveness of our communications, such as tracking when an email is opened or which links are clicked. This data is generally analysed in aggregated and anonymised form.

You can opt out of any or all communications at any time by emailing hello@thewhatifexperiment.com.

Some essential communications, such as receipts or confirmations of payments or registrations, may still be sent as needed to fulfil our obligations to you.

 

How We Update, Screen, and Analyse Your Information

We regularly check and update our records to keep your information accurate. We may use publicly available sources to verify or update contact details, such as:

  • Publicly shared information on social media
  • Official registers or directories
  • Newspaper articles or professional websites

If we work with an external partner to help us update or screen our data, we’ll have a clear agreement to protect your privacy. Any analysis we do helps us understand who engages with us so we can communicate more effectively and meaningfully.

You can opt out of data screening or analysis by contacting hello@thewhatifexperiment.com.

 

Who We Share Your Information With

We never sell your data. We only share your personal information with approved data processors working on our behalf (for example, bulk email services like Mailchimp, or partners supporting our events). These partners act only on our instructions and are contractually obliged to protect your information.

If we ever need to transfer data outside the UK or European Economic Area (for example, for international email delivery), we will ensure it is done securely and in line with GDPR requirements.

 

How We Keep Your Information Secure

We have technical and organisational measures in place to protect your personal data from:

  • Unauthorised access or disclosure
  • Accidental loss or destruction
  • Improper use or alteration

Our staff and any approved partners who handle personal data are required to keep your information confidential.

 

Accessing and Correcting Your Information

You can ask if we hold any personal data about you and request a copy—this is called a Subject Access Request.

To do this, you’ll need to provide proof of identity (e.g., a copy of your passport or driving licence). In some cases, a small fee (up to £10) may apply if the request is complex.

Please email hello@thewhatifexperiment.com or write to us at:
 The What If Experiment,
 Somerset House,
 Strand, London, WC2R 1LA.

Once we receive your request and verification, we’ll respond within 30 days.

You can also ask us at any time to correct or delete the information we hold about you.

 

Cookies

Our website uses cookies to make your experience better. Cookies are small text files stored on your device to help websites work efficiently or provide data to the site owner. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies.

Most web browsers allow you to control and delete cookies through your settings. To learn more, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

Changes to Our Privacy Notice

We regularly review this notice and will update it as needed. Any changes will be posted on this page and will apply from the date they are published.

This privacy notice was last updated on 7 July 2025.

 

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about this privacy notice or your data, please contact:

📧 hello@thewhatifexperiment.com
 📍 The What If Experiment, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA

 

APPENDIX

How We Gather and Use Testimonies

At The What If Experiment, we understand the courage it takes to share personal experiences of racism and workplace culture. We are committed to documenting your testimony with care, transparency, and respect.

How Your Testimony Will Be Documented

  • You will meet with a member of The What If Experiment team to verbally share your experiences.
  • The meeting will take place online and will be recorded solely for the purpose of creating an accurate transcript.
  • You will receive a transcript of your conversation and have the opportunity to edit, agree, and give final sign-off before it is shared with any agreed parties.
  • Your testimony will never be shared without your written consent.
  • Once your testimony is signed off, the original audio recording will be permanently deleted.

How You Will Be Safeguarded

  • You will always retain ownership of your testimony — neither your organisation nor The What If Experiment owns your words or has the right to manipulate or reproduce them in any way.
  • Your testimony will never be shared externally by The What If Experiment or your organisation.
  • Your testimony will always be anonymised.
  • Access to testimonies will be protected and limited to agreed parties only. Testimonies will be securely deleted within an agreed timeframe, unless otherwise discussed and agreed with you in advance.

How Your Testimony Will Be Used

  • Your testimony will be included in an anonymised dossier alongside accounts from other staff members sharing experiences of your organisation’s working culture.
  • If needed, the dossier may be converted into an audio recording, read by paid actors, to make it accessible.
  • Both the written and audio versions of the dossier will only be shared with agreed parties who hold responsibility for shaping internal culture and have proximity to decision-making power.
  • The What If Experiment will use the shared experiences in our anti-racism training designed for leadership. This training supports leaders to analyse each testimony, acknowledge harm, and develop actions rooted in the lived experience of racism and othering, with the goal of fostering a culture of belonging in your organisation.
  • If you share information during your testimony that falls outside the remit of this process (e.g., criminal misconduct or sexual harassment), The What If Experiment will consult with your organisation’s People & Culture or Executive Leadership Team to understand what follow-up action may be required. This will always happen in dialogue with you, and any actions will be decided on a case-by-case basis.