HONA named finalist in the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2026
HONA, the Welsh professional-only nail brand pioneering safer, high-performance systems, has been named a finalist in the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2026, shortlisted for The Dext Innovation Award.
HONA joins a national field of almost 200 finalists across 20 categories at the UK’s flagship business awards, headlined by Lloyds Bank, with ITV as media partner and the support of the UK government.
Michael Henson, Managing Director of HONA, said: “Being named a finalist in the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards is a huge moment for HONA. We built this business to answer an allergy crisis that was putting careers at risk in a female-led industry. This recognition belongs to our team, educators and community, who have helped prove that safer products and uncompromising professional performance can coexist. We are incredibly proud to fly the flag for Newport, South Wales and British beauty innovation at Grosvenor House.”
Amanda Murphy, CEO, Lloyds Business and Commercial Banking, said: “Behind every successful business is a story of ambition, determination and innovation. Inspiring entrepreneurs backing themselves to succeed. That’s exactly what the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards celebrates. HONA is bringing new ideas, investing in its community and helping drive growth in the UK. They represent the very best of British enterprise and we’re incredibly proud to back them.”
HONA was founded in 2021 to tackle growing allergy concerns in the professional nail industry and created what it describes as the UK’s first hypoallergenic gel system.
Rather than relying on white-labelled or imported systems, HONA develops, tests and refines products from its purpose-built South Wales laboratory, with its technical work recognised through a successful HMRC research and development claim.
The business says its impact now extends beyond product development. As a Patron of the British Beauty Council, HONA contributes to wider conversations focused on raising standards, improving transparency and making professional beauty safer at both industry and policy level.
Winners will be announced at the gala ceremony at Grosvenor House, London, on Tuesday 10 November 2026, in front of 1,200 business leaders. In keeping with Awards tradition, winners ring the opening bell at the London Stock Exchange and are celebrated at the programme’s annual reception at the House of Commons.
