Privacy & Cookie Policy
How we handle your data
This page has two parts: a plain-language Privacy Policy covering what we collect and why, and a Cookie Policy listing exactly which cookies this site sets and how to clear or block them.
Last updated: 30 August 2026
Privacy Policy
Who we are
This website is operated by XI Consulting ("XI", "we", "us"), an independent transformation consultant for UK SMEs. If you have questions about this policy, contact us at our email address.
Analytics, in brief
We use Google Analytics (GA4) to understand how visitors use this website — which pages are viewed, how people navigate the site, and roughly how much traffic we get — so we can improve it. We do not use cookies for advertising, and we do not sell any data. Google Analytics only runs if you accept it via the cookie banner shown on your first visit — see the Cookie Policy below for the full detail on what that sets and for how long.
What data Google Analytics collects
When analytics is active, Google Analytics collects information such as: pages viewed and time spent on them, approximate location derived from your IP address (not your exact address), device and browser type, and the site or search engine that referred you here. It does not collect names, email addresses, or anything you type into the contact form — that only reaches us if you choose to send it, separately, by email.
This data is processed by Google in accordance with the Google Privacy Policy, and is retained for a limited period in line with our Google Analytics account settings before being automatically deleted.
Your rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to ask what data we hold about you, request it be corrected or deleted, object to or restrict how it's processed, and request a copy in a portable format. Contact us at our email address to exercise any of these rights. If you're not satisfied with our response, you can complain to the UK's data protection regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Cookie Policy
A "cookie" is a small file a website can store in your browser. This site also uses your browser's local storage the same way, for the same purpose — to remember something between visits. The table below lists everything this site sets, who sets it, what it's for, and how long it lasts.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
xi_cookie_consent | XI (this site — local storage, not a cookie) | Remembers whether you accepted or rejected analytics cookies, so we don't ask again every visit. Set either way, since it's strictly necessary for the banner to work as described. | Until you clear your browser's local storage for this site |
_ga | Google Analytics — only if you accept | Distinguishes unique visitors | Typically 2 years (Google's GA4 default) |
_ga_<container-id> | Google Analytics — only if you accept | Persists session state for GA4 | Typically 2 years (Google's GA4 default) |
Google's own explanation of the cookies it sets is in its cookie policy.
How to control cookies on this site
- Click "Reject" on the cookie banner when you first visit — Google Analytics simply never loads.
- Use the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer at any time to reopen the banner and change your choice.
How to clear or block cookies in your browser
You can also clear or block cookies directly in your browser, which applies across every site you visit, not just this one:
If a link above is out of date, searching your browser's help documentation for "clear cookies" will get you there. You can also install Google's Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on for a browser-wide opt-out across every site using GA.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the site or our tools change. Material changes will update the "Last updated" date above.
XI Consulting is a trading name of Xi Chen, operating as a sole trader in the United Kingdom.