How I started in beauty: Leighton Denny, CEO Leighton Denny Expert Nails

Leighton Denny was an under-achiever at school as a result of his dyslexia, and his first job upon leaving formal education was that of a forklift truck driver. Against all odds, he has gone on to create a globally renowned beauty brand and his name is now a byword for nailcare expertise, with one of his Crystal Nail Files being sold every 60 seconds.

His unlikely move into nails was inspired when he was a teenager watching his glamorous mother have a manicure, while on holiday in Miami. On his return to the UK he began working in nail salons (before going on to open his own) and was obsessed with the transformative power of a great manicure. However, it wasn't just the creative side of the job that inspired him, but also the need for true expertise in nailcare.

In 2005 he launched the Leighton Denny Expert Nails brands, which spearheaded the movement for the "skinification" of nail treatments. His product line-up includes an array of polishes and tools, but also a wide range of products to treat and enhance the nails, such as the award winning Nail Rebirth capsules.

In 2015, he was awarded the MBE for services to the nail industry and, when not working, Denny dedicates himself to supporting multiple charitable causes and raising awareness of dyslexia.

Denny attributes his success to his natural entrepreneurial spirit, his creative drive and his determination to succeed in the face of adversity.

Have you always had an interest in beauty? Why does it appeal to you and why did you want to work within it?

Beauty was always around me growing up, even though I didn’t realise it would become my career. My mum and all her sisters were incredibly glamorous. I remember watching them get ready for nights out, hair and nails done, make-up on, new outfits every time. There was always a sense of transformation and excitement around it.

But the real spark came when I was a teenager on holiday in Miami. My mum, who had always bitten her nails badly, decided to get them done in a salon for the first time. I went with her and sat there completely transfixed. I watched the technicians applying acrylics, creating nail art and airbrushed designs, and it felt like a completely different world.

Nails were already huge in America, far more advanced than anything we were seeing in the UK at the time. Looking back now, that moment really stayed with me. It was one of those seeds that gets planted early on without you even realising it.

What appeals to me about beauty is that it’s transformational. It’s never just about appearance. When someone feels good about themselves, it changes how they carry themselves and how they move through the world.

Tell us about your first job in beauty. What drew you to the role? What was the experience like?

My route into beauty wasn’t the typical one. I grew up in Bradford and struggled at school because I’m dyslexic, so I was never academic. But I’ve always been a creative, entrepreneurial, and determined to make something of myself.

When I began working in salons, I quickly became drawn to nails. At the time, nails weren’t really taken seriously in the UK. They were often an add-on service rather than a focus. But I could see the potential immediately. Nails combine creativity with precision, and you get instant results. You can transform someone’s hands in half an hour, and that has a huge impact on how they feel.

Very early on, I also realised I didn’t want to follow the fast nail-bar model that was emerging. I believed British clients wanted something more refined, expertise, care and attention rather than speed. That philosophy became the foundation for everything I built afterwards.

Leighton Denny nail polishes

What were the most valuable skills or lessons you gained from that first experience?

The biggest lesson was the importance of expertise. Beauty might look glamorous on the outside, but behind every great treatment or product is a great deal of knowledge and discipline. Understanding nail health, technique and product formulation is essential if you want to be taken seriously.

I also learned that beauty is fundamentally about people. Clients trust you. They open up to you. You become part of their lives in a small way. That human connection is something I’ve always valued. And finally, I learned to trust my instincts. Coming from a background where I didn’t follow the traditional path meant I had to rely on my gut. That instinct has guided many of the decisions I’ve made in my career.

Tell us about your current role. How did you get here and what do you most enjoy about it?

Today, I’m the CEO of the Leighton Denny Expert Nails brand, but the journey started with building a reputation as a nail technician. Opening my salon in Marylebone was a turning point. Suddenly, I was working with high-profile clients and my work was being featured in magazines.

One of those moments that still makes me smile was being invited to do Joan Collins’ nails at her villa in St Tropez. I remember thinking, how on earth has a boy from Bradford ended up here? Moments like that helped establish my reputation as a nail expert and opened many doors.

From there, I began developing my own products. I wanted to create a range that combined professional expertise with a beautiful presentation. When I launched the Leighton Denny Expert Nails range in 2005, my aim was to bring a more sophisticated, expert-led approach to nail care – prescriptive, ‘skincare for nails’, which was a game-changer that revolutionised the nail market.

What I still enjoy most is creating products that genuinely work. Whether it’s a treatment, a tool or a colour, the goal has always been the same: helping people achieve healthy, beautiful nails.

If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice at the very start of your career, what would it be and why?

I would tell my younger self not to worry about fitting the mould. When I was growing up I often felt different from the people around me. I struggled academically and didn’t follow the traditional route into a career. But those differences ultimately became strengths. They made me more determined, more creative and more willing to take risks. My advice is simple: trust your instincts and keep going, even when the path isn’t obvious.

Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File

What does the next chapter of your own career look like, and how are you hoping to grow from here?

The beauty industry never stands still, and that’s part of what makes it so exciting.

For me, the next chapter is about continuing to innovate and evolve the brand. We’re constantly developing new formulas, tools and treatments, and I’m always looking for ways to improve nail health and performance. It still amazes me that something which started with one nail technician and a big idea has grown into a global brand. Somewhere in the world, a Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File (£13) is sold every 60 seconds, which is something I could never have imagined when I first started out.

I’m incredibly proud of that journey, but I still feel like there’s so much more to do.

Has there been a person in beauty that you have always admired, and why?

It’s hard to single out just one person, because there have been many people in my industry whose work I admire for different reasons, but I’ve always been particularly inspired by entrepreneurs in beauty who manage to balance creativity with business. Beauty is an industry that combines artistry with strategy, and the people I respect most are those who manage to build something lasting rather than simply following trends and pushing marketing gimmicks.  For me, it’s never just been about glamour. It’s about expertise, innovation and creating products that genuinely improve people’s nails.