QCA Membership Terms and Conditions
These Membership Terms and Conditions (Terms) and the Membership Application Form (Application Form) together form the terms and conditions which will govern your application and membership of the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA).
By completing and submitting the Application Form, or (for an existing member) by the automatic renewal of your membership without cancellation in accordance with condition 2.3 below, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
- Membership Applications
1.1 To be considered for membership of the QCA, you must submit an Application Form to the QCA. The QCA has the right to refuse applications in its sole discretion.
1.2 If the person completing and submitting the Application Form is doing so on behalf of a company or organisation, he/she confirms that he/she is duly authorised to bind that company or organisation.
1.3 If your application for membership is accepted by the QCA, your access to membership will start on the date that payment has been reconciled in our accounts until your annual Membership Renewal Date which will be stated in your welcome email.
- Membership Payments, Renewals, and Cancellations
2.1 Payment of the membership fee must be made by debit/credit card (except American Express) or BACS. Payment must be made within one month from the date the QCA notifies you that your application has been successful.
2.2 The QCA will send you an invoice prior to the Membership Renewal Date which will notify you of the fee due for the renewal of your annual membership (Renewal Fee).
2.3 Your membership will be automatically renewed for one year from the Membership Renewal Date (or any anniversary thereof) unless the QCA receives notice that you wish to cancel your membership, such notice is to be received by the QCA no later than one month after the Membership Renewal Date (or any anniversary thereof).
2.4 Unless your membership is cancelled in accordance with this condition 2, the Renewal Fee must be received by the QCA within one month of the Membership Renewal Date.
2.5 If membership fees or Renewal Fees are not received when they fall due, your membership and its benefits will be suspended until payment is received. You will continue to owe all fees that fall due during the suspension period, unless you cancel your membership in writing.2.6 To cancel your membership, you will need to notify the QCA in writing of your intention to cancel your membership, stating the reason for cancellation. Any reason given will be used for internal use only. Refunds will not be given for cancelled memberships.
- Member Obligations
Members must at all times comply with these Terms, the QCA’s Code of Conduct, and any other policies or rules published by the QCA from time to time.
- Membership Transfer
QCA membership is not transferable from organisation to organisation. The membership belongs to the company which has applied and paid for it.
- Limitation of Liability
The QCA is not responsible for the actions of members or any third parties, and to the extent permitted by law excludes all liability in respect of any loss suffered by a member arising out of or in connection with their membership.
- Complaints Procedure
If you wish to file a complaint or have a concern, please contact us at mail@theqca.com. We strive to address any issues promptly and with fairness. The QCA’s complaints procedure will follow a clear and structured approach:
- Step 1: Raise the issue directly with the appropriate QCA contact or service provider.
- Step 2: If unresolved, submit your complaint in writing to mail@theqca.com, providing relevant details.
- Step 3: The QCA will review your complaint, investigate the issue, and provide a response within 10 working days.
If the complaint is regarding the conduct of a member or any QCA staff, further steps may be taken in accordance with the disciplinary procedures outlined in the Code of Conduct section.
- Events Policy
The QCA regularly hosts events for members, including conferences, workshops, and networking opportunities. By attending QCA events, members agree to the following terms:
- Registration: All event bookings must be made through the QCA’s official event registration process. Events may be restricted to members only or open to non-members as specified in the event details.
- Event Fees: For paid events, a fee will be charged, and payment must be made in full prior to the event.
- Cancellations and Refunds: Cancellations must be received in writing at least 30 days before the event for a full refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations less than 30 days before the event.
- Event Behaviour: All attendees must abide by the QCA’s Code of Conduct and follow any event-specific rules set by the QCA.
- Liability: The QCA is not responsible for any travel or accommodation costs incurred by attendees in relation to any events. Attendees participate at their own risk.
- Photography and Recording: By attending QCA events, attendees consent to being photographed or recorded for QCA promotional purposes. Attendees who do not wish to be photographed or recorded should notify the QCA in advance or on the day of the event.
- Code of Conduct
The QCA strives to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members, attendees, and partners. The following behaviours are expected of all those engaging with the QCA:
- Respect and Dignity: All individuals should be treated with respect, regardless of their background, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic.
- Harassment-Free Environment: Discrimination, harassment, or any form of inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated at QCA events, in member interactions, or online forums.
- Integrity: Members are expected to act with integrity in all interactions with QCA staff, other members, and external stakeholders.
- Compliance: Members should comply with all QCA policies, including the Membership Terms and Conditions and the Code of Conduct.
Any complaints related to breaches of the Code of Conduct will be investigated by QCA’s senior management team, and appropriate action will be taken, which may include termination of membership.
- Data Protection
The QCA is committed to protecting the privacy of its members. By applying for membership, you agree that the QCA may process your data for membership administration, communication about QCA events, and other relevant QCA services. Your data will not be shared with third parties without your consent, except where required by law.
Members can update their details by contacting the QCA or through their member profile on the QCA website.
The QCA processes personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. The QCA is the data controller for personal data collected in connection with your membership. The legal bases for processing your data include: (a) performance of a contract (your membership agreement); (b) legitimate interests of the QCA; and (c) your consent where specifically requested.
Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights in relation to your personal data: the right to access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, data portability, and the right to object. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk if you believe your data has been processed unlawfully. Requests to exercise these rights should be submitted to mail@theqca.com.
- Privacy Policy
The QCA are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. Our full privacy policy is available here.
- Intellectual Property Rights
All intellectual property rights, including but not limited to copyrights, trademarks, and content provided by the QCA, are owned by the QCA. Members may not reproduce, distribute, or sell any materials provided by the QCA without prior written consent.
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in these Terms grants any member a licence to use the QCA’s name, logo, or trade marks other than as expressly agreed in writing by the QCA.
- Force Majeure
The QCA will not be liable for any failure to perform its obligations under these Terms caused by events or circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of nature, government actions, or technical failures.
- Variation of Terms
These Terms may be revised from time to time. If they are revised, we will email you and post our revised terms on our website. It will be your responsibility to keep up-to-date with all such changes, and your continued membership shall be deemed acceptance of any changes to these Terms.
- Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the Application Form and any documents referred to in them, constitute the entire agreement between the QCA and the member in relation to membership and supersede all previous agreements, promises, assurances, warranties, representations, and understandings between them, whether written or oral, relating to that subject matter.
Each party acknowledges that in entering into these Terms it has not relied on, and shall have no remedies in respect of, any statement, representation, assurance, or warranty (whether made innocently or negligently) that is not set out in these Terms.
- Notices
Any notice required by these Terms must be sent in writing to:
The Quoted Companies Alliance
6 Kinghorn Street, London, EC1A 7HW
or such other address as notified to you from time to time.