Guide to Cookies
A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website – when visited by a user – asks your browser to store on your device in order to remember information about you, such as your language preference or
login information. Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. We also use third-party cookies – which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are visiting – for
our advertising and marketing efforts.
Our Site's Cookie Functions Explained
For example, like many companies, we use Analytics, a web analytics service provided by third party analytics service, to help us monitor our site traffic. Analytics uses “cookies”, which are text files placed on your computer, to help the site analyse how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the site (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by them. They will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the site, compiling reports on site activity for site operators and providing other services relating to site activity and Internet usage. They may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information. Analytics will not associate your IP address with any other data held by them.
Nevertheless, performance cookies don’t collect information that identifies a visitor. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous and it does not affect your privacy. It is only used to improve how a site works. We might also use these cookies to highlight our products or services which we think will be of interest to you based on your use of our sites. By using Organization’s sites you agree we may place these types of cookies on your device.
- Strictly Necessary Cookies: These cookies are essential in order to enable you to move around the site and use its features, such as accessing secure areas of the site. Without these cookies services you have asked for, like shopping baskets or e-billing, cannot be provided. As these cookies are strictly necessary, we do not need to ask for your consent to use them.
- Performance Cookies: These cookies collect information about how visitors use a site, for instance which pages visitors go to most often, and if they get error messages from web pages. Some of these are analytics cookies, set using third-party web analytics software, which allow us to understand more about how our site is used.
- Functionality Cookies: These cookies allow the site to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. For instance, these cookies can be used to remember changes you have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages that you can customise. They may also be used to provide services you have asked for such as watching a video or commenting on a blog. The information these cookies collect may be anonymised and they cannot track your browsing activity on other sites. By using Organization’s sites you agree we may place these types of cookies on your device.
- Targeting or advertising cookies: These cookies are used to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaign. They are usually placed by advertising networks with the site operator’s permission. They remember that you have visited a site and this information is shared with other organisations such as advertisers. Quite often targeting or advertising cookies will be linked to site functionality provided by the other organisation. Our Sites do not use targeting cookies. We will ask for your consent before we use targeting cookies.
Tracking Methods and External Cookies
Social Media Engagement Notice: Engaging with our content via social media platforms (like liking or sharing our posts) might result in those platforms recording your activities and possibly setting cookies to track these interactions. If you prefer to opt out from such tracking, please consult the specific settings and instructions provided by each social media platform.
Ways to Block or Manage Cookies Effectively
You have the option to set your browser to reject cookies. However, rejecting cookies may affect the functionality of certain parts of our site. Our system may use electronic images known as web beacons (or clear gifs) to count and track users who have visited certain sections of our site.
Miscellaneous
Email Open Tracking
Our emails may use a web beacon pixel to understand if you open our emails and interact with the contents, such as clicking on links. This helps us tailor our communications to better match your interests. If you prefer not to be tracked, you can read the email in plain text or disable images.