Training and development policy

Our commitment

Our clients rely on up-to-date skills in fast-moving areas such as search, social media, advertising platforms and AI. We will give everyone a proper start, keep their knowledge of our policies current, and support them to develop their skills. We are a small team, so we keep training practical and linked to the work people do.

Who this policy covers

This policy applies to all our employees and workers. Freelancers and contractors are responsible for their own professional development, but we brief them on the policies and procedures that apply to the work they do for us.

Induction

Everyone who joins us has an induction within their first month. It covers:

• how we work, our services, tools and systems, and who to ask for help
• our policies, including equality, diversity and inclusion, sexual harassment, safeguarding, health and safety (including a workstation self-assessment), data protection, responsible use of AI, modern slavery, quality management and complaints
• information security, including passwords, multi-factor authentication and handling client data
• the specific skills and client knowledge needed for their role

Freelancers and contractors receive a shorter briefing on the policies and procedures that apply to their work before they start.

Yearly refresher

Everyone completes a refresher on our key policies at least once a year, and when a policy changes significantly. The refresher covers sexual harassment, equality, safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and information security, and responsible use of AI. Anyone whose role brings them into contact with children or adults at risk also completes the safeguarding training set out in our safeguarding policy.

Developing skills

We talk with each person about their development at regular one-to-ones and at a yearly review, agree what they want to learn, and plan how to support it. Support can include:

• learning on the job, alongside more experienced colleagues
• platform certifications and online courses, such as those offered by advertising, analytics and social media platforms
• time during working hours for agreed learning
• conferences, webinars and industry events

Records

We keep a record of the induction, refresher and other training each person completes, with dates. Records are kept securely for six years after someone leaves, in line with our equality, diversity and inclusion policy and our privacy policy.

Checking it works

Andrew Todd reviews training records at least once a year to check that everyone has completed their induction and refresher, and that training meets the needs of our clients and any requirements in client contracts. We also use client feedback and our log of errors and complaints, under our quality management policy, to spot training needs.

Responsibilities and review

Andrew Todd, CEO, is responsible for this policy, for making sure induction and refresher training happen, and for the training records. Everyone who works for us is responsible for completing the training they are asked to do and for raising any training they need.

We will review this policy at least once a year, and sooner if the law, our services or our clients’ requirements change.

Policy details

• Policy owner: Andrew Todd, Director and CEO
• Approved by: Andrew Todd, Director and CEO
• Effective date: 27 October 2026
• Last reviewed: 27 October 2026
• Next review: 27 October 2027