Initial Client Disclosure

You received this notice because you have contacted us, or asked to be introduced. It explains who you are dealing with, what we can help with and how your information is used. Receiving it does not commit you to a service.

Who you are dealing with

French Connections HCB is the trading name of HCB Services Limited, the business providing our relocation support. We are registered in England and Wales, company 13809512. Our registered address is below.

Your quote or booking identifies the supplier for your service. An independent professional has their own engagement and business details. Our published registrations are VAT GB401002977 and ICO C1969611.

What we help with

We explain published procedures, organise and prepare paperwork, book appointments, coordinate correspondence and follow up on progress. Our support helps you plan the practical steps of moving to France and manage the administration around them.

Depending on what you choose, this may be a consultation, Region Matcher report, DIY Starter support, Handled For You programme or an individual service. Your service description sets out what is included; this notice is not a new service offer.

Where our role ends

Our practical administration and general information are not personalised legal, tax, accounting, insurance, mortgage or investment advice. Qualified professionals are responsible for that work. We do not act as a property agent or negotiate on your behalf.

You attend authority, consulate and prefecture appointments in person; we prepare and coordinate around them. Decisions and processing times remain with the authority or independent provider. We remain responsible for carrying out our own service with reasonable care and skill.

Your fees and separate costs

Your quote or confirmation explains the service, price and payment arrangements. Online bookings are confirmed in writing; proposal purchases follow that proposal. Government charges, translations, professional fees, insurance premiums and other third-party costs are separate unless agreed otherwise in writing.

For cancellation, refunds and any applicable money-back visa guarantee, read the Terms & Conditions and Refund & Service Recovery Policy. A conditional refund guarantee is not a promise that an authority will approve an application. This notice adds no cancellation or refund conditions.

Partners and introductions

The following relationships may be relevant to your chosen service. They are not all involved in every case. We identify the provider responsible for your particular matter before an introduction or appointment.

Legal support

186 London Limited is a joint venture between French Connections HCB and 186 AVOCATS, a French legal practice. Our teams work closely together, aligning your relocation support with specialist legal expertise. Legal advice remains the responsibility of your appointed lawyer.

Tax advice

French Tax Online is a separate tax practice and referral partner, not an HCB-owned tax practice. Any tax advice or professional work is provided under its own engagement, fees and responsibility.

Second-home membership

FTO X HCB SAS is a separate joint venture offering membership services for second-home owners. It is not a tax practice. Membership services and specialist tax advice are different engagements.

Insurance

Groupe Hueber Assurances is an independent insurance broker and referral partner, not an insurer owned by HCB. Its own permissions, terms and privacy information apply. An insurance introduction does not give HCB insurance permissions or insure money paid to HCB.

Property

Sigolène Nayral is an independent estate agent who may be relevant to a property requirement. Her role, the proposed service and her own engagement are explained for the particular case. HCB does not become your property agent.

Construction projects

Relevant construction projects may involve DDG Constructions UK Ltd / DDG France through joint-venture arrangements. The actual contracting business, scope of works and project-specific terms must be identified in the proposal for that project.

Your choice and referral interests

An introduction does not oblige you to appoint that provider. You can choose another suitable professional. Independent providers normally contract with you directly on their own terms and prices.

Before you decide, we explain HCB’s role, separate fees and any commission, referral payment or other financial interest that applies. Notaires, translators, banks, lenders and other professionals may also be relevant; we identify them for your case.

What an introduction entails

If you ask for an introduction, we explain who will receive information, why and what is needed: normally your name, contact details and a brief service request. The provider’s own privacy information should be available to you.

Being named here, or your acknowledgement of this notice, is not blanket permission to share your full file. Do not send a passport, financial or health documents to a partner simply because they are listed. Further case documents need their own appropriate instructions.

Working together

Please provide accurate, complete information, respond to document requests and tell us promptly if your circumstances change. We explain the next steps and what we need to progress your case. Tell us if an instruction is unclear before submitting documents or making a decision.

Your information and support

How your information is used

We use information to answer enquiries, arrange consultations, administer bookings, deliver agreed services, keep necessary records and meet legal obligations. Depending on your service, we may need contact details and relevant identity, immigration, financial, tax or health information. We explain what is needed and why.

Who may receive it

Authorities, professionals on your matter and suppliers supporting forms, systems and casework may receive information needed for their role. Introduction limits are explained above. Ask about a recipient, purpose, retention period or international transfer before sharing if you need clarification.

Your privacy rights and choices

Depending on the circumstances, you may request access, correction, deletion, restricted use, objection or a portable copy. You can withdraw consent where use relies on it and complain to the ICO in the UK or CNIL in France.

Send data requests to info@frenchconnectionshcb.com. See the Privacy Policy for full information. Receiving this notice is not marketing consent; optional marketing choices are separate from service messages.

Before you proceed

You can ask questions, request a quote, consider an introduction or choose not to proceed. Read and keep the agreement. This notice is not a contract or payment instruction and offers no currency exchange or money-holding service. Such services need separate written details, including whether funds have insurance or other protection.

Sending documents safely

Do not send passports, bank or tax records, health information, immigration documents or signed agreements by ordinary email, text or social-media message. Use the upload instructions supplied by your team and identify the service concerned. If unsure, check with us first.

Verify any unexpected change to payment details independently using our established contact details before acting.

How we use AI

AI may help draft content, emails and guides. The team reviews, fact-checks and edits it, retaining responsibility. Region Matcher research and recommendations are human.

AI does not access or process case documents, decide visa eligibility or legal status, set prices, make credit decisions or profile you. Enquiries and casework are handled by people; human contact is available. See the AI Policy for full boundaries.

Questions and complaints

Email info@frenchconnectionshcb.com or call +33 1 85 65 74 98. For a complaint, use subject Complaint, explaining the issue, service and your contact details. Upload sensitive supporting documents through the team’s instructions.

We acknowledge within 3 working days and respond substantively within 14 days. Independent providers have their own procedure; our terms explain mediation. Your legal rights remain, and statutory cancellation needs no prior complaint.

Download this notice as a PDF (English and French)

French Connections HCB is a trading name of HCB Services Ltd · Company 13809512. 39–40 St. James's Place, London, SW1A 1NS, United Kingdom.