The Downing Network Pty Ltd (ABN 13666926781) provides retained executive search and leadership advisory services. The nature of our work means we collect and hold personal information about candidates, clients, referees and business contacts. This policy explains what we collect, why, and how we handle it. We are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.

What we collect

For candidates: identity and contact details, career history, qualifications, remuneration information, interview notes and assessment records, referee comments, and where relevant to a role, information you provide about work rights, professional memberships and licences. Where a search involves psychometric or structured assessment, we collect the results of those assessments with your knowledge.

For clients and business contacts: names, roles, contact details and records of our dealings with you.

We collect most information directly from you, in conversations, interviews and correspondence. We also collect information from publicly available sources such as professional networking platforms, company announcements and media, and from referees you nominate. We do not collect referee comments about you without your consent.

Why we collect it

We use personal information to identify, assess and present candidates for specific roles, to advise clients on leadership matters, to maintain our professional networks, and to run our business. We do not sell personal information to anyone, and we do not use it for purposes unrelated to executive search and advisory work.

Who we share it with

Candidate information is shared with clients only in connection with a specific role, and only as the search process requires. We present written assessments to the client who engaged us, not to the market.

Where a search involves our affiliate network, information may be shared with affiliated firms in other regions for the purpose of that search.

We use third-party providers for services such as data storage, email and document management. Some providers may store data outside Australia. Where they do, we take reasonable steps to ensure it is protected to Australian standards.

We will disclose personal information where required by law.

How long we keep it

Executive careers span decades and so do our relationships. We retain candidate information so we can consider you for future opportunities, unless you ask us not to. You can request removal from our records at any time, and we will action it except where law requires retention.

How we protect it

We restrict access to personal information to the people who need it for the work, and we hold it in systems with access controls and encryption in transit. No system is impenetrable, but we treat candidate confidentiality as fundamental to our profession, not just a compliance obligation. Discretion is the basis on which senior people talk to us.

Access and correction

You may request access to the personal information we hold about you, and ask us to correct anything inaccurate or out of date. Contact us using the details below and we will respond within a reasonable period. In limited circumstances the law allows us to refuse access, and if that applies we will explain why.

Complaints

If you believe we have mishandled your personal information, contact us first and we will investigate. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at oaic.gov.au.

Contact

Ivan Vujicic, The Downing Network
Email: ivanvujicic@thedowningnetwork.com.au

This policy was last updated in June, 2026. We review it periodically and the current version will always be published here.