Data Futurists
Working collaboratively to create products and services that drive real and lasting improvement in social housing and beyond
About Us
At Data Futurists, we pride ourselves on being a premier data-focused consultancy. Our expertise lies in the specialised field of property data management, where we dedicate ourselves to enhancing and optimising data processes to drive superior results for our clients.Our team of seasoned professionals brings a wealth of experience and deep industry knowledge, enabling us to offer bespoke solutions that are meticulously tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. We believe that effective data management is crucial for success in today's fast-paced world, and we are committed to delivering innovative and effective strategies that help our clients stay ahead of the curve.From comprehensive data analysis and integration to advanced data security and governance, our range of services is designed to provide holistic support for all your property data needs. At Data Futurists, we understand that every client is different, and we work closely with you to understand your specific challenges and objectives, ensuring that our solutions are perfectly aligned with your goals.Our commitment to excellence and innovation sets us apart, making us a trusted partner for organisations looking to unlock the full potential of their property data.
Our Services
At Data Futurists we offer several services for our clients. Click below to find out more about them
Data Consultancy
Data is the cornerstone of how organisations function, and we at Data Futurists support housing providers in a myriad of ways.Examples of how we have supported housing providers are:
Ad hoc analysis and support
Developing analytical methodologies
Data Migration
Data Quality Assessments
Data Quality Enrichment
Data Sourcing, Extraction, and Transformation
Data Ingestion
Demographic Insights
GAP Analysis
Process Analysis
For further information on how we can support you, please get in touch
Data Standards Audit
The UK Housing Data Standards Audit is a comprehensive assessment framework that ensures housing organisations align with the UK Housing Data Standards (UKHDS), developed by HACT. This audit enhances data quality, governance, reporting, and literacy, providing organisations with actionable insights to optimise their data management.Key areas we assess are:
Benchmarking your current data against the UK Housing Data Standards
Assessing your organisations' data management progress
Assessing the accuracy and efficiency of you data reporting
Benefits for Housing Organisations:
Enable and empower your staff when using data by improving data literacy
From identifying inaccuracies and inconsistencies your data quality and reliability increases
Reducing your organisational and reputational risk by being regulatory compliant
Streamline processes to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness
Resident satisfaction increases as you can demonstrate transparency and accountability
Ensure your organisation is data-driven, compliant, and efficient with the UK Housing Data Standards Audit. Contact us today to learn more!
Geospatial
At Data Futurists, we specialise in geospatial methodologies to help organisations leverage spatial data for better decision-making. Our expert team provides tailored geospatial services, from address matching to comprehensive spatial analysis. With extensive industry experience, we assist businesses, local authorities, and non-profits in unlocking the full potential of their geospatial data. Our solutions drive efficiency, reduce operational costs, and support long-term strategic planning.We work closely with clients to develop customised solutions that enhance operational efficiency, improve asset management, and support data-driven strategies. Whether you're looking to implement a new geospatial framework, enhance existing mapping solutions, or gain deeper insights through spatial analytics, our team is committed to delivering innovative and effective results.
Examples of services we provide are:
Address to UPRN Matching
Grounds Maintenance Mapping
Tree Risk Mapping
Geospatial Training
Geospatial Data Architecture Design and Support
GIS Procurement Support
Geospatial Data Procurement
Geospatial Strategy Development
Geospatial Managed Service
Data Governance
How organisations create, manage, and dispose of data is all a part of data governance.We at Data Futurists have supported several organisations in developing their policies, processes, and tools for data governance.
Data Logic
Through our partnership with 3C, Data Futurists can support your organisation with developing your organisation's Data Logic.Data Logic offers a comprehensive solution that can automatically monitor data quality and compliance across your whole data estate and can also seamlessly assist with data migration.
Data Procurement
Often, finding the right data can be difficult to source or even curate.At Data Futurists we are here to support your organisations source the right data for you.Whether these are through open datasets or have to be procured, we will endeavour to find the right data set for you and your organisation.For further details please get in touch
Partners
At Data Futurists we work with several organisations to support our mission of resolving the data issues in housing.Click on the links below to find out more about our partners
HACT
Innovation. Collaboration. Insights.As the charity of the social housing sector, these are the core values that have driven the transformation and development of housing providers for over 60 years.HACT believes the provision of housing is about more than just bricks and mortar – it’s about enhancing peoples’ lives.By partnering with organisations across the housing sector, HACT drives value for residents and communities through insight-led products and services which encourage innovation and foster collaboration.
3C
Established in 2015, 3C Consultants is a leading supplier of technology and data consultancy and data software to the UK and Ireland’s social housing, charity, and care sectors, and have assisted over 150 organisations to navigate the constantly evolving IT and data landscape.They have supported their clients to:Develop system specifications
Identify resource requirements
Review current provision
Carry out strategic service and supplier reviews
Manage procurement and implementation
Secure data assurance and application audits
Improve data governance
TPX Impact
TPX Impact began with the belief that businesses can and should be a force for good. This belief has enabled them to support public, private, and third sector organisations navigate the complexities of the digital age.
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey (OS) is Great Britain’s National Mapping Service.
OS' trusted location data and expertise is helping to build a modern digital Britain and show the world how to see a better place; by creating sustainable, healthy, and connected societies.Whether it’s managing climate change risk, helping more people to enjoy healthier lives, or connecting people to public services, OS' customers are using location intelligence to get a greater understanding of the future and shape the places we live in.
ParaDPO
ParaDPO was created out of the experience of two Data Protection practitioners. There are many organisations using half-finished products, spreadsheets or a DIY approach to Data Protection. These do bring some sort of a solution, but are limited. We have brought all of our experience into making our Data Protection software “MyrIAD” which is from an information asset perspective but also incorporating process management of natural person requests (SARs etc.).Businesses today are both data-reliant and data-subservient and many are using the introduction of GDPR as a lever for business change and transformation. In the bargain, they realise that the efficiencies and economies of scale that can be introduced, with the addition of dedicated applications that make the management of data (both personal and operational) more controllable and accountable.
Open Data Exchange
ODX was invented and originated by Steve Dungworth, MD of Golden Marzipan.In the Autumn of 2023, Steve shared his idea to create a collaborative data application for housing associations. That vision has blossomed into something bigger: a national database of social homes. Now joined by colleagues Kate Davies, and Neil Topping and supported by many others, we have created the Open Data Exchange to promote this idea into something tangible.We have a social mission. This comes first. We are still working as volunteers and paying for campaigning and development out of our own pockets. This is time-consuming but thrilling.We will need to invest in our product, which has been designed, tested, branded, and marketed by competent professionals. We aim to keep prices as low as possible for smaller housing associations but charge a realistic price for something we think will bring about positive social change. To be clear, we are a for-profit enterprise.
Contact Us
If you'd like to learn more about us, our services, or have any other queries; please feel free to get in touch
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Privacy Policy
This Privacy Notice is for Data Futurists
(Company Number: 08865185)Our Privacy Notice is here to tell you about what we do with your data and why. You do not need to take any action as this just informs you of your rights and what we do with your data.
Who we are
Data Futurists is the trading name of “Neil Topping Limited”, that is registered at Companies House with number 08865185.9 Goldington Road,
Bedford,
England,
MK40 3JY
Overview
This Privacy Notice is something that we are obliged to do by law to tell what we do with your personal data.At Data Futurists we want to be as transparent as possible with how we collect, store and process your personal data. So, if there is anything in here that is confusing, you do not like or would like us to explain then please get in touch [email protected]. This will help us to make this better for the next person reading it as well as for you.
What data do we process?
It depends on your relationship to Data Futurists as we will collect and process different information.You work for a client (prospective, current or former)
If you work for a client then we will process relevant information required to meet our contractual obligations. This may include:Your name, job title and contact details.
Communication and meeting information.
Business reports and analysis.
Training records (for sessions we deliver).
Information provided by the client to enable us to meet our contractual commitments.You are a customer of a client
Where we have clients, they are usually service organisations that have customers. We seek to minimise the personal data that we hold about their customers. However, some of our work focuses on analysing and improving customer data.In these instances, we will be doing this under contract and will only process what is required. As our contracts and obligations vary with each client it is possible, we hold none, some or lots of your personal data. In the case of there being lots of personal data that needs to be processed by Data Futurists we will seek to use the client’s tools and systems in the first instance so it does not leave their organisation.This will vary from contract to contract, but the most common forms of client’s customer data will be:Customers’ Name and AddressYou have contacted us via our website
If you have used our website to make contact this will send an e-mail to our team. This will then be reviewed and responded to by a relevant person if a response is required.Specifically, we will have the following data:Your name, job title and contact details.
Details of your contact
Lawful Basis for processing your data
There are 6 lawful bases for processing personal data under the Data Protection Act 2018. These are as follows:Consent
Contract
Legitimate Interests
Legal Obligation
Public Task
Vital Interests
If what we are doing relates to a client contract then our lawful basis for processing is that contract.If what we are doing relates to business development and sales, then we run and participate in various events that we will gather your personal data from. We have a legitimate interest in reaching out to you to see if you are interested in working with us. However, we will respect you asking us not to contact you again, so will provide an unsubscribe option in future communication.Data Futurists comply with all laws relevant to the jurisdictions that we operate in. Therefore, there may be legal obligations for your personal data to be shared.
How long do we hold your personal data for?
Where we have the information from a contract, we will keep it as long as the contract states. If it is not specified, we will retain the data until asked by the client to destroy it or 6 years following the last usage.If we have gathered your information from an event or similar, then we will retain your records for up to 6 years following the last usage of your personal data.
Sharing and transferring your data
We will avoid sharing your personal data outside of the European Economic Area unless required by a client, by law, or the processing will have an equivalent level of security and safeguards (this may be due to a technology we use, but we will seek to minimise this as much as possible).
Your Data Rights
The Data Protection Act 2018 set out multiple rights that you have as an individual. These are not all absolute rights, which means that in some circumstances they will be unsuccessful. For example, if there are excessive times that they are used or it is unclear what is being asked then we may refuse. We will also seek to work with you to clarify and explain things so we can ensure that you are able to exercise your rights as you intend. Before we can process these, we will need to ensure that we have confirmed your identity.
Right to Access
You have the right to request a copy of the data we hold about you and we must comply with your request within one calendar month. We may refuse or charge for requests that are manifestly unfounded or excessive. If your request is refused, we will write to you within one month to let you know. You will then have the right to complain to the ICO (contact details are provided in the “Right to Complain” section) and to a judicial remedy.
Right to be forgotten
You have the right to request that your information be deleted where the use of that information would no longer meet the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018. Once the request is made, the information must be deleted within one month. Where the information in question has been made public or transferred to a third party, we must also take reasonable steps to inform those third parties about the request for deletion including any links to, or copies of that personal information. The above does not apply when it is necessary to keep the information in relation to legal proceedings, to comply with a statutory obligation, or to perform tasks in the public interest.
Correcting errors or omissions with your personal data (Rectification)
You have the right to have inaccurate and incomplete information about you amended and completed.
Right to restrict processing
Restricting processing can be for Data Futurists to stop using the data, stop in some instances as well as for us to stop sharing the personal data with suppliers and other third parties.You have the right to request restriction of processing if your information is no longer processed (other than it being stored), is incorrect and/or the processing is unlawful but you object to its deletion and you want us to hold your information as you may need it for legal reasons.
Right to Object
You have the right to object to processing in certain circumstances. Where Data Futurists uses “Public Task” or “Legitimate Interests” as it’s basis for processing your personal data you can object. You may also object to profiling and automated decision making. Profiling is where decisions are made about you based on certain things in your personal information. Automated decision making is where things have been programmed and a decision is made without a person looking at it.
Right to data portability
You have the right to receive the personal data in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. This could be to have your employee file as a PDF so it can be transferred to another employer.
Rights to complain
As mentioned earlier, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you think there is a problem with the way in which Data Futurists are handling your information. To contact the ICO, please call 0303 123 1113 or visit their website at https://ico.org.uk.Or write to them at:Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF