Your designated UK Representative for GDPR Article 27 compliance
Organisations based outside the United Kingdom that offer goods or services to, or monitor the behaviour of, individuals in the UK must appoint a local representative. Formiti provides that mandatory presence from our Birmingham headquarters, backed by a full compliance support team.
What this service covers
- Mandatory UK GDPR Article 27 representative
- Official liaison with the ICO
- Data subject request coordination
- Breach notification and regulatory support
- Fixed annual fee — no hourly billing
- Birmingham-headquartered UK presence
Formiti provides the mandatory UK GDPR Article 27 representative that overseas organisations need when processing UK residents' personal data. Based at the firm's Birmingham headquarters, the service covers ICO liaison, regulatory correspondence, data subject rights, and breach support — with transparent fixed pricing and no hourly billing. It serves international companies that lack a UK establishment but are subject to UK data protection law.
Why UK GDPR representation is a legal requirement
Since Brexit, the UK operates its own data protection regime. Organisations based outside the UK that process personal data of UK residents must appoint a representative within the United Kingdom — this is a standalone legal obligation, separate from any EU appointment.
It is a standalone UK obligation
UK GDPR Article 27 requires non-UK controllers and processors to designate a representative based in the United Kingdom. An EU-based representative does not satisfy this requirement — since Brexit, the UK is a separate jurisdiction.
The ICO expects a local point of contact
The Information Commissioner's Office needs to be able to reach a named representative within the UK. Without one, your organisation may face regulatory barriers, delayed correspondence, or enforcement action.
It demonstrates commitment to UK data subjects
Appointing a UK representative signals to customers, partners, and the ICO that your organisation is serious about protecting the data of individuals in the United Kingdom and is committed to operating responsibly in this market.
What's included in the service
Formiti serves as your UK GDPR Article 27 representative from our Birmingham headquarters, providing an accessible and responsive point of contact for the ICO, data subjects, and all representative-related compliance matters.
- Designated UK representative based in Birmingham
- ICO liaison and supervisory authority correspondence
- Coordination of data subject enquiries and complaints
- Representative contact details for UK-facing obligations
- Support with relevant records and compliance documentation
- Guidance on UK GDPR representative obligations
- Ongoing support for regulatory follow-up and remedial actions
One fixed annual fee with responsive ongoing support.
Why Formiti
A stronger model than a traditional UK law firm appointment
Compare Formiti's team-based UK representative service with a traditional law firm and managing the obligation yourself.
| Aspect | FormitiRecommended | Traditional Law Firm | DIY / No Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team structure | Legal, privacy, and operations teams working together under one UK appointment. | Typically one solicitor or paralegal handling the representative role alongside other legal work. | No dedicated UK representative — obligation unfulfilled or managed ad hoc from overseas. |
| ICO liaison | Direct engagement with the ICO on your behalf, with structured escalation and response protocols. | ICO correspondence handled, but often billed per interaction at hourly rates. | No UK contact for the ICO to reach — risk of delayed enforcement or regulatory penalties. |
| Data subject requests | Structured intake, coordination, and response support for UK-originating DSARs and complaints. | Advisory support available, but operational handling usually left to the client. | UK requests may go unanswered or be delayed without a local point of contact. |
| Breach support | Integrated breach notification support with legal, technical, and operational coordination. | Legal advice on ICO notification obligations, but limited hands-on incident support. | No local support for time-critical breach notifications to the ICO. |
| Cost model | Predictable fixed annual fee with no hidden charges or hourly billing. | Hourly or retainer-based billing that can escalate unpredictably with activity. | No direct cost, but significant regulatory and commercial risk exposure. |
| UK presence | Birmingham-headquartered with established UK operations and infrastructure. | UK-based but representative function is secondary to the firm's core legal practice. | No UK presence — fundamental compliance gap under UK GDPR Article 27. |
Team structure
Legal, privacy, and operations teams working together under one UK appointment.
Typically one solicitor or paralegal handling the representative role alongside other legal work.
No dedicated UK representative — obligation unfulfilled or managed ad hoc from overseas.
ICO liaison
Direct engagement with the ICO on your behalf, with structured escalation and response protocols.
ICO correspondence handled, but often billed per interaction at hourly rates.
No UK contact for the ICO to reach — risk of delayed enforcement or regulatory penalties.
Data subject requests
Structured intake, coordination, and response support for UK-originating DSARs and complaints.
Advisory support available, but operational handling usually left to the client.
UK requests may go unanswered or be delayed without a local point of contact.
Breach support
Integrated breach notification support with legal, technical, and operational coordination.
Legal advice on ICO notification obligations, but limited hands-on incident support.
No local support for time-critical breach notifications to the ICO.
Cost model
Predictable fixed annual fee with no hidden charges or hourly billing.
Hourly or retainer-based billing that can escalate unpredictably with activity.
No direct cost, but significant regulatory and commercial risk exposure.
UK presence
Birmingham-headquartered with established UK operations and infrastructure.
UK-based but representative function is secondary to the firm's core legal practice.
No UK presence — fundamental compliance gap under UK GDPR Article 27.
Calculate your Article 27 compliance costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about this service, legal obligations, and how we work.
Ready to appoint your UK Representative?
Fulfil your UK GDPR Article 27 obligation with a Birmingham-based team that covers legal, privacy, and operational support — not just a name on a register.
What happens next
We assess your processing activities and confirm whether UK Article 27 applies.
We provide a transparent, fixed-fee proposal with no hidden costs.
Once approved, we activate your UK representation within 24 hours.
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