Stannah’s compliance journey: How DataGuard streamlined global data protection

How Stannah streamlined global data protection

With its global operations, Stannah needed a consistent approach to data protection. Handling sensitive customer information - including health data - meant that compliance was a legal requirement, but also a core responsibility. Megan Richards, senior paralegal with global responsibility for privacy and data protection, took on the challenge of strengthening and scaling Stannah’s privacy framework to meet evolving regulations across all regions.

Challenge

With over 1000 employees and many legal entities in the UK alone, compliance at Stannah required a scalable, ongoing framework.

Before implementing DataGuard, Stannah managed data protection through a variety of internal systems - but several challenges remained:

• Dispersed data across multiple internal systems: With data stored across multiple platforms and regions, maintaining oversight and consistency required considerable investment of time and resources
• Regulatory complexity: Operating globally meant navigating a complex web of data protection laws and aligning processes across legal frameworks
• Language barriers: Coordinating compliance across subsidiaries required a multilingual solution to simplify communication
• Records of Processing Activities (ROPA) management: With many processes across its UK entities alone, a structured, accessible approach was essential
• A need for global harmonization: With data protection being an ongoing effort - not a one-off project- Stannah needed a solution that could bring consistency across all markets

"We needed an intuitive, easy-to-use tool that makes maintaining compliance simple, not overwhelming," Megan shares.

Solution

Stannah initially worked with a standardized tool. But it became clear that they needed more than an off the shelf solution. They needed an intuitive, easy-to-use solution that fit seamlessly into a global, customer-focused business - without taking people away from their core work.

That’s where DataGuard came in.

Why DataGuard?

• User-friendly interface: A clear, user-friendly layout was key - making compliance quick and easy, so teams could focus on supporting customers instead of admin
• Automated compliance processes: The platform handles data mapping, ROPA updates, and privacy assessments with built-in reminders and workflow
• Seamless reporting: Centralized reporting makes it easy to generate accurate leadership reports - saving time and reducing manual effort
• Collaborative compliance: Stannah established privacy leads in every department, using DataGuard’s training and automation features to empower employees
• Multi-language support: Essential for Stannah’s European subsidiaries, overcoming language barriers in compliance training and documentation

Setting up the platform was worth it: "We were aiming for continuing 100% compliance. Dataguard gave us the structure, visibility, and support to get there”, Megan recalls.

Results

With DataGuard’s platform, Stannah has turned a multi-entity compliance setup into a streamlined, scalable privacy program. What started as a need for simplicity has evolved into a company-wide shift in how data protection is managed - efficiently, confidently, and collaboratively.

• One platform for global consistency: Stannah replaced systems with a centralized tool to manage ROPAs across many UK entities and international markets, bringing structure and consistency to their global privacy efforts
• Compliance made accessible: With 40+ privacy leads across departments, the platform’s intuitive design and multilingual support made it easy for non-legal staff to manage compliance confidently
• Time savings: Automated reminders, workflows, and dashboards freed up hours of manual effort. Stannah’s senior paralegal now logs in once a day -no chasing, no guesswork, just clarity
• Improved employee confidence: Privacy leads now manage compliance with less fear of making mistakes, thanks to the system’s built-in review processes
• Effortless training and tracking: European privacy leads complete GDPR training through the platform, with automated reminders and completion tracking
• Real visibility into risk: Mind maps, risk registers, and requirement tracking provide a clear overview of where sensitive data sits - and whether the right safeguards are in place
• More structured governance: Stannah has mapped a vast amount of ROPAs, ensuring a detailed, accurate record of data flows

Looking ahead: A long-term compliance partnership

For the team at Stannah, data protection isn’t a one-off project - it’s a long-term priority with a permanent seat at the table. As regulations evolve and the business continues to grow, they see DataGuard as a solution that can adapt with them.

Her advice to other manufacturing businesses?