Privacy Policy

The Ripple Stone | Chris Blackman Coaching

Last updated: 18 October 2026

1. Introduction

At Chris Blackman Coaching, your privacy matters.

We recognise that exploring personal development, purchasing resources or engaging in coaching may involve sharing personal information. We believe this information should be handled with care, respect and transparency.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, process, store and protect personal information when you visit The Ripple Stone website, create a member account, purchase books or other resources, book coaching sessions or communicate with us.

It also explains how information is shared with service providers, including Wix, BookVault, payment providers and Zoom, and outlines your rights under UK data protection law.

We are committed to handling personal information responsibly and in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, as amended, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR).

Where consent is legally required, we will seek it separately.

2. Who We Are

The Ripple Stone website is operated by Chris Blackman Coaching, the trading name of Chris Blackman, a sole trader operating in the United Kingdom.

Our website provides educational content, books, personal development resources and access to online coaching services.

Business information

• Trading name: Chris Blackman Coaching

• Business owner: Chris Blackman

• Business structure: Sole trader

• Country of operation: United Kingdom

• Website: https://theripplestone.co.uk

• Email: hello@theripplestone.co.uk

• Correspondence address: 3, Whiteway Close, Dursley, Gloucestershire, Gl11 4AT, England, United Kingsom

For the purposes of applicable UK data protection legislation, Chris Blackman is the Data Controller responsible for determining how and why personal information is processed in connection with the business.

Throughout this policy, references to "we", "us" and "our" mean Chris Blackman trading as Chris Blackman Coaching.

3. Information We Collect

The personal information we collect depends on how you interact with our website, products and services.

3.1 Email enquiries

When you contact us by email, we may collect:

• Your name and email address.

• Contact details you choose to provide.

• The contents of your message.

• Information voluntarily shared as part of your enquiry.

• Subsequent correspondence relating to your enquiry.

We use this information to respond to your communication and, where relevant, discuss our books, resources or coaching services.

Our website does not currently use contact forms for general enquiries.

3.2 Member account information

Customers may create a member account through our Wix website to make future purchases and manage their interactions with us more conveniently.

Depending on the account features used, we may collect:

• Your name and email address.

• Account registration and profile information.

• Account identifiers.

• Purchase and order history.

• Coaching booking information.

• Information necessary to provide account access and functionality.

Account authentication and login information are handled through Wix's membership systems.

Where member profiles are visible to other website members or visitors, the information displayed will depend on the functionality and privacy settings provided by the website.

We encourage members to consider carefully what personal information they choose to make visible through their profiles.

3.3 Book orders and delivery information

When you purchase a physical book directly through our website, we collect information necessary to process and fulfil your order.

This may include:

• Your name.

• Email address.

• Billing address.

• Delivery address.

• Telephone number, where required for delivery.

• Books purchased and quantities ordered.

• Order date and transaction reference.

• Delivery preferences or instructions, where provided.

• Dispatch, tracking and delivery information.

• Relevant communications about the order.

This information is used to administer the purchase, arrange printing and delivery, provide order updates, handle enquiries and manage returns or refunds.

3.4 Payment and transaction information

When you make a purchase through our website, we may collect or receive:

• Your name and contact details.

• Billing information.

• Products or services purchased.

• Transaction amount and date.

• Payment status.

• Transaction references.

• Refund and cancellation information.

Complete payment card details are processed through the relevant payment provider. We do not routinely receive or store complete payment card details ourselves.

3.5 Coaching bookings

When you book a coaching session, we may collect:

• Your name and contact information.

• The coaching service selected.

• Appointment dates and times.

• Booking and payment information.

• Communications relating to your appointment.

• Information reasonably necessary to arrange and deliver the session.

3.6 Coaching session information

During coaching, you may voluntarily share information relating to your circumstances, experiences, goals, values, beliefs, decisions and personal challenges.

Relevant information may be retained in coaching notes to support the coaching relationship.

We aim to record only information reasonably necessary to deliver coaching and maintain continuity.

Further information about AI-assisted note-taking is provided in Section 8.

3.7 Website usage information

Our website is hosted through Wix.

When you visit, certain technical information may be processed automatically, including:

• IP address.

• Browser and device information.

• Operating system.

• Pages visited and website interactions.

• Technical performance information.

• Cookie identifiers and preferences, where applicable.

Further information is available in Section 13 and our separate Cookie Policy.

4. How We Use Your Information

We process personal information for specific and lawful purposes.

These include:

Responding to enquiries

To answer questions, provide requested information and communicate with individuals who contact us.

Managing member accounts

To create, maintain and administer member accounts, including account access, purchase information and booking history.

Processing purchases

To administer orders, confirm purchases, process payments and provide access to purchased products or services.

Printing and delivering books

To arrange the printing, packaging and delivery of physical books purchased directly through our website.

Managing coaching bookings

To arrange appointments, provide joining information and communicate about scheduling changes.

Delivering coaching services

To provide coaching, maintain relevant notes and support continuity between sessions.

Customer service

To respond to enquiries about purchases, investigate delivery problems and administer cancellations, returns and refunds.

Operating and protecting our website

To maintain website functionality, manage technical issues, protect member accounts and prevent fraud or misuse.

Maintaining business records

To comply with applicable accounting, tax, consumer protection and other legal obligations.

Marketing communications

Where legally permitted, to communicate relevant information about The Ripple Stone, our books, educational resources and coaching services.

Promotional communications are subject to the requirements explained in Section 14.

5. Our Lawful Bases for Processing

Under UK data protection law, personal information must be processed using an appropriate lawful basis.

The lawful basis depends on the purpose of processing.

Contractual necessity

We rely on contractual necessity where personal information is required to enter into or fulfil an agreement with you.

This includes:

• Administering purchases.

• Processing and arranging delivery of website book orders.

• Managing coaching bookings.

• Providing purchased coaching services.

• Administering member account services associated with an agreement.

Legitimate interests

We may rely on legitimate interests where processing is reasonably necessary to operate and protect our business, provided those interests do not override your rights and freedoms.

This may include:

• Responding to general enquiries.

• Maintaining website and account security.

• Preventing misuse or fraud.

• Managing legitimate customer service matters.

• Maintaining appropriate administrative records.

Legal obligations

We process certain information where necessary to comply with applicable legal obligations.

This includes relevant tax and accounting records, consumer protection responsibilities and other statutory requirements.

Consent

Where required, we seek consent for specific processing activities.

This may include certain marketing communications, non-essential cookies and particular uses of information during coaching.

Where processing relies on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.

Withdrawal does not affect processing lawfully undertaken before consent was withdrawn.

We determine and document the lawful basis appropriate to each processing activity.

6. Member Accounts

Our website uses Wix to provide member account functionality.

Registered members may be able to access their profile information, purchase history, bookings and other account features.

We process relevant information to provide and manage these services.

You may request account closure or deletion of eligible personal information by contacting hello@theripplestone.co.uk.

Closing a member account does not necessarily result in immediate deletion of all associated records.

We may need to retain information relating to completed purchases, outstanding obligations, disputes or legal record-keeping requirements.

Information will not be retained merely because an account previously existed if there is no longer a lawful reason to keep it.

7. Physical Book Orders and BookVault Fulfilment

Physical books purchased directly through https://theripplestone.co.uk are sold by Chris Blackman Coaching.

We use BookVault, a third-party print-on-demand and fulfilment provider, to print, package and dispatch these orders on our behalf.

7.1 Information shared with BookVault

When you purchase a physical book directly through our website, we share the information reasonably necessary for BookVault to fulfil your order.

This may include:

• Customer or recipient name.

• Delivery address.

• Contact information required for delivery.

• Book title, format and quantity.

• Order and fulfilment reference numbers.

• Relevant delivery instructions.

BookVault uses this information to arrange printing, packaging, dispatch and delivery.

BookVault may also process information through its relevant printing, delivery and fulfilment partners, subject to its applicable data protection arrangements.

We do not share complete payment card details with BookVault for the purpose of printing and delivering books.

7.2 Why we share this information

The sharing of order and delivery information is necessary to fulfil the purchase contract you enter into with Chris Blackman Coaching.

BookVault requires relevant order details to produce and deliver your books.

Without the necessary delivery information, we may be unable to complete a physical book order.

7.3 Delivery and tracking information

BookVault or its delivery providers may generate dispatch confirmations, tracking references and delivery status information.

This information may be made available to us through BookVault or our connected Wix systems.

We use it to keep you informed about your order, investigate delivery issues and provide customer support.

7.4 Returns, replacements and order problems

Where an order is damaged, incorrect, delayed or otherwise requires investigation, we may share relevant order details and information about the problem with BookVault.

This may include photographs of printing defects or damage that you choose to provide.

We aim to share only the information reasonably necessary to investigate and resolve the issue.

Chris Blackman Coaching remains your primary point of contact for orders purchased directly through our website.

7.5 BookVault's data protection responsibilities

BookVault processes personal information in connection with its printing and fulfilment services.

Depending on the processing activity, BookVault may act as a data processor on our behalf or as an independent data controller for its own lawful purposes.

Its handling of personal information is subject to its applicable privacy information and data protection arrangements.

7.6 International fulfilment

Where BookVault uses international printing or fulfilment partners, relevant order information may need to be processed outside the United Kingdom.

Where such processing involves a restricted international transfer of personal information, appropriate legal safeguards must apply.

We aim to ensure that relevant information is shared only as necessary to fulfil the order.

8. Online Coaching and Zoom AI-Assisted Note-Taking

Our coaching services are delivered online using Zoom.

To support accurate note-taking and continuity, we may use Zoom AI Companion's meeting summary functionality.

8.1 How AI-assisted summaries work

When enabled, Zoom AI Companion processes meeting content to generate a summary of the conversation.

This may include:

• Topics explored.

• Personal goals and reflections.

• Relevant challenges or considerations.

• Agreed actions and next steps.

• Matters that may be useful to revisit.

AI-generated summaries are reviewed before relevant information is retained as coaching notes.

We do not routinely make or retain complete audio or video recordings for coaching note-taking purposes.

However, Zoom may temporarily process audio or generate transcripts to deliver its AI-assisted functionality.

8.2 Transparency and agreement

Clients will be informed before AI-assisted meeting summaries are used.

We will seek their agreement and explain the purpose of this processing.

Where a client does not wish to use AI-assisted summaries, alternative note-taking arrangements can be discussed.

Agreement to AI-assisted note-taking is separate from any additional lawful basis or condition required for processing sensitive personal information.

8.3 Accuracy and confidentiality

AI-generated summaries may contain inaccuracies.

We therefore review relevant content before retaining final coaching notes.

Coaching information is treated as confidential, subject to applicable legal obligations and the limitations explained in our Coaching Terms & Conditions.

Identifiable coaching information will not be used for public testimonials, marketing materials or published case studies without appropriate separate permission.

8.4 Zoom's processing arrangements

Zoom provides the online meeting and AI-assisted summary functionality.

Zoom and its relevant service providers may process meeting information to deliver these features, maintain security and fulfil applicable service obligations.

We aim to configure available settings to minimise unnecessary processing and retention.

Zoom may have separate technical retention requirements, including limited retention for security, debugging or other lawful purposes.

Further information is available in Zoom's Privacy Statement:

https://www.zoom.com/en/trust/privacy/privacy-statement/

9. Payments and Payment Providers

Payments made directly through our website are handled using the payment services enabled through Wix.

Depending on the payment arrangement selected, these may involve:

• Wix Payments.

• Stripe, where applicable.

• Klarna.

• Clearpay.

9.1 Payment information

When you complete a purchase, relevant information may be shared with the payment provider processing your transaction.

This may include:

• Name and contact information.

• Billing details.

• Order information.

• Purchase amount.

• Transaction details.

• Information necessary for authentication or fraud prevention.

Payment providers may process additional information directly from you in accordance with their own privacy policies and legal responsibilities.

We do not routinely receive or store complete payment card details ourselves.

9.2 Klarna and Clearpay

Where offered, Klarna and Clearpay allow eligible customers to select alternative payment arrangements.

If you choose one of these services, the provider may independently collect and process personal information for purposes including:

• Identity verification.

• Payment eligibility assessments.

• Fraud prevention.

• Administration of payment agreements.

• Compliance with relevant legal obligations.

Eligibility or credit decisions are made by the relevant payment provider, rather than Chris Blackman Coaching.

The provider's own privacy policy and contractual terms will apply to its independent processing activities.

9.3 Transaction records

We retain appropriate transaction records for purchase administration, customer service, accounting, taxation and legal compliance.

Financial records may be retained for longer than coaching notes or general enquiries where required by law.

10. Purchases Through Amazon

The Ripple Stone is also available through Amazon.

Amazon provides separate sales and distribution arrangements for books purchased through its platform.

10.1 Paperback and hardback editions

Paperback and hardback editions purchased through Amazon may be printed and fulfilled using Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) services.

Where Amazon is the seller and processes your purchase, Amazon is responsible for collecting and handling the personal information required for that transaction in accordance with its own privacy information.

This may include customer account information, delivery addresses, payment details and order history.

Where a third-party seller is identified on an Amazon order, that seller may have separate data protection responsibilities.

10.2 Kindle editions

The Kindle edition of The Ripple Stone is distributed through Amazon.

Amazon handles customer purchases, Kindle delivery and associated account and payment processing.

The personal information collected by Amazon for these transactions is governed by its applicable privacy arrangements.

10.3 Information available to us

We may receive sales and distribution reports from Amazon in connection with our books.

These reports may include sales quantities, royalty information, marketplace information and other information made available through Amazon's author and publishing systems.

We do not ordinarily receive the complete personal contact, delivery or payment information of individual customers who purchase our books directly from Amazon.

Where Amazon provides information to us for legitimate publishing, accounting or other authorised purposes, we will process any personal information in accordance with applicable data protection law.

10.4 Customer enquiries

If you purchase through Amazon, queries relating to your Amazon account, payment or delivery should generally be directed to Amazon or the seller identified in your order.

If you contact us independently about an Amazon purchase, we may process the information you voluntarily provide in order to respond to your enquiry.

We do not control Amazon's independent collection or processing of customer information.

Please refer to Amazon's applicable Privacy Notice for more information.

11. Sensitive Personal Information

Coaching conversations may involve personal or sensitive subjects.

In some circumstances, clients may voluntarily disclose information classified as special-category personal data under UK data protection legislation.

This may include information concerning physical or mental health, religious or philosophical beliefs, or other protected categories.

We do not seek to collect sensitive information unnecessarily.

Where processing of special-category information is required, we will identify an appropriate lawful basis under Article 6 of the UK GDPR and an additional condition under Article 9.

Where explicit consent is the appropriate condition, we will seek it separately and explain the relevant processing.

We aim to minimise sensitive information retained in coaching notes and apply appropriate safeguards.

12. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell personal information.

We may share relevant information with third parties where necessary to operate our website, provide services, fulfil purchases or comply with legal obligations.

These include:

Wix

Provides website hosting, member accounts, bookings, e-commerce functionality and associated technical services.

BookVault

Provides printing, packaging, dispatch and fulfilment services for physical books purchased directly through our website.

Delivery and fulfilment providers

May process delivery information necessary to transport and deliver purchased books.

Zoom

Provides online coaching meetings and AI-assisted meeting summary functionality.

Payment providers

May include Wix Payments, applicable Stripe processing arrangements, Klarna and Clearpay.

Usercentrics

Provides cookie consent management functionality through our Wix website.

Email and communication providers

Provide the technical services used to receive, send and manage business communications.

Professional advisers and public authorities

May receive relevant information where necessary for professional advice, legal compliance or other lawful purposes.

Third-party providers may act as processors on our behalf or, where applicable, as independent data controllers.

We aim to share only information necessary for the relevant purpose and use appropriate data protection arrangements.

13. Cookies and Website Technologies

Our website uses Wix and Usercentrics for cookie consent management.

Cookies and similar technologies may be used to support essential website functionality and, where enabled, additional features.

These may include:

• Website security and stability.

• Member account functionality.

• Shopping baskets and checkout processes.

• Remembering cookie preferences.

• Technical performance monitoring.

• Analytics and marketing features, where enabled.

Essential cookies may be used where an applicable legal exception permits them.

Where consent is required for non-essential cookies or similar technologies, we will seek it before activating the relevant processing.

Visitors can manage their preferences through the Usercentrics Privacy Trigger displayed on our website.

Further information is available in our separate Cookie Policy:

https://theripplestone.co.uk/legal/cookie-policy

14. Marketing Communications

We may offer visitors and customers opportunities to receive information about The Ripple Stone, including our books, educational resources, coaching services and related developments.

We will only send direct electronic marketing where permitted by applicable law.

Where required, we will seek consent before sending promotional communications.

Where an applicable existing-customer marketing exception is relied upon, we will comply with the relevant requirements, including providing an appropriate opportunity to opt out.

Creating a member account or purchasing a product does not automatically constitute unrestricted consent to marketing.

You may opt out of marketing communications at any time through the available unsubscribe facility or by emailing hello@theripplestone.co.uk.

Essential communications relating to orders, bookings, payments and account administration are separate from optional marketing communications.

15. How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, subject to applicable legal obligations.

Different categories of information have different retention arrangements.

15.1 Coaching notes

Our coaching notes retention periods are:

InformationRetention period

Zoom AI meeting summariesUp to 7 days under our control

Discovery Session notes30 days after the call

Individual Coaching Session notes90 days after the session

Twelve-session programme notesThroughout the programme and for 180 days following the final session

If further coaching is booked within an applicable retention period, relevant notes may be carried forward into the continuing coaching relationship.

Temporary summaries will be deleted from the systems under our control within the stated period.

Zoom's separate technical processing, backups and service-provider retention may differ.

15.2 Book orders and delivery information

Information associated with website book orders is retained as necessary to:

• Fulfil purchases.

• Provide customer support.

• Investigate delivery problems.

• Handle returns, replacements and refunds.

• Maintain relevant accounting and tax records.

• Comply with legal obligations or manage legitimate claims.

Identifiable delivery information will not be retained longer than necessary for these purposes.

Relevant transaction information may need to be retained for the applicable financial record-keeping period.

BookVault and delivery providers may maintain their own records in accordance with applicable legal obligations and processing arrangements.

15.3 Email correspondence

General enquiries and correspondence are retained for as long as reasonably necessary to respond and deal with relevant follow-up matters.

Correspondence linked to purchases, coaching agreements or legal obligations may be retained alongside the applicable records.

15.4 Member accounts

Member account information is generally retained while the account remains active or until a valid deletion request is fulfilled.

Information may continue to be retained where necessary for outstanding transactions, legal obligations, dispute resolution or another lawful purpose.

15.5 Financial records

As a UK sole trader, relevant business and tax records are generally retained for at least five years after the 31 January Self Assessment submission deadline for the relevant tax year, or longer where legally required.

This requirement applies to relevant financial records and does not mean that private coaching notes must be kept for the same period.

15.6 Legal exceptions

Information may be retained for longer where necessary to comply with legal obligations or establish, exercise or defend legal claims.

When information is no longer required, we take appropriate steps to delete or anonymise it.

16. International Data Transfers

Some of the organisations providing our website, payment, coaching and fulfilment services operate internationally.

As a result, relevant personal information may be processed, stored or accessed outside the United Kingdom.

This may involve Wix, Zoom, BookVault's relevant fulfilment arrangements, payment providers or their subprocessors.

Where a restricted international transfer takes place, we will ensure that an appropriate legal transfer mechanism applies.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include applicable UK adequacy regulations or recognised contractual safeguards.

You may contact us for further information about the safeguards relevant to your personal information.

17. Protecting Your Personal Information

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, accidental loss, misuse, alteration or inappropriate disclosure.

These measures may include:

• Using established website, payment and fulfilment providers.

• Restricting access to customer and coaching records.

• Using appropriate account authentication and access controls.

• Minimising the information collected and retained.

• Reviewing information in accordance with retention periods.

• Using relevant security features made available by our service providers.

• Taking appropriate action where potential security incidents are identified.

No method of electronic communication or storage can guarantee absolute security.

Where a personal data breach occurs, we will assess the circumstances and meet applicable legal obligations concerning notification and response.

18. Your Data Protection Rights

Under applicable UK data protection law, you have certain rights relating to your personal information.

Depending on the circumstances, these may include:

Right to be informed

You have the right to understand how and why your personal information is processed.

Right of access

You may request access to the personal information we hold about you.

Right to rectification

You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.

Right to erasure

You may request deletion of personal information where the legal conditions are met.

Right to restrict processing

You may request restriction of certain processing activities in applicable circumstances.

Right to data portability

You may have the right to receive certain personal information in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format.

Right to object

You may object to certain processing activities, including processing based on legitimate interests.

You have the right to object to the use of your personal information for direct marketing at any time.

Rights relating to automated decision-making

You have rights relating to certain solely automated decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects.

Chris Blackman Coaching does not itself use solely automated decision-making to make legally or similarly significant decisions about coaching clients.

Independent payment providers may carry out their own automated eligibility, fraud prevention or credit assessments, subject to their applicable privacy policies and legal responsibilities.

Right to withdraw consent

Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.

Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.

Exercising your rights

To exercise your applicable data protection rights, please email:

hello@theripplestone.co.uk

We may need to verify your identity before responding to certain requests.

We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable data protection legislation.

Some rights are subject to legal exemptions or limitations.

19. Data Protection Complaints

If you have concerns about how Chris Blackman Coaching has collected, used, shared or handled your personal information, you may raise a complaint directly with us.

Please email:

hello@theripplestone.co.uk

Include a description of your concern and any relevant information that may help us investigate.

We will acknowledge data protection complaints within 30 days of receipt.

We will take appropriate steps to investigate without undue delay, keep you informed as required and communicate the outcome without unjustifiable or excessive delay.

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent data protection regulator.

Information Commissioner's Office

Website: https://ico.org.uk

20. External Websites and Retailers

Our website may contain links to independent websites and platforms, including Amazon, podcast platforms, social media services and other third-party providers.

When you follow a link to an external website, that organisation may collect and process personal information under its own privacy arrangements.

We do not control the independent privacy practices of external organisations.

In particular, books purchased through Amazon are processed through the relevant Amazon or marketplace seller arrangements rather than through our own Wix checkout.

We encourage visitors to review the applicable privacy policies before providing information to external services.

21. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may review and update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our website, products, coaching services, fulfilment arrangements, technology providers or applicable law.

The latest version will be published on our website with an updated revision date.

Where changes materially affect how personal information is processed, we will take appropriate steps to inform affected individuals where required.

22. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, how your personal information is handled or your data protection rights, please contact:

Chris Blackman Coaching

Trading name of Chris Blackman, a sole trader operating in the United Kingdom.

Data Controller: Chris Blackman

Website: https://theripplestone.co.uk

Email: hello@theripplestone.co.uk

Correspondence address: 3, Whiteway Close, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 4AT, England, United Kingdom

We aim to handle personal information responsibly, answer questions transparently and respect the privacy of everyone who interacts with our website, resources and services.