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Biography

Leighton Denny is an internationally recognised personality – known infamously for his success as the UK’s original, leading nail expert and the man behind Leighton Denny Expert Nails brand – an entrepreneur, media personality and celebrity ambassador for Jeans for Genes, here is Leighton’s story...

Leighton Denny started out as a fork-lift truck driver, a job he left behind to study beauty therapy, following a glamorous trip to LA where he identified a niche in the UK for a hip and happening nail bar which he went on to open in Bradford – one of the first to arrive in the UK.

After landing local fame in Yorkshire, Leighton took a big leap of faith and took himself – and a backpack – to London where he opened his first London salon in London’s idyllic Marylebone. This attracted the rich and famous, and he was soon snapped up by Harrods where Leighton went on to launch his nail boutique at Urban Retreat 5th Floor, Harrods - London’s elite destination for beauty services. There are now more than 200 Leighton Denny salons both in the UK and internationally.

“I was inspired by businessmen like Nicky Clarke taking off in the hair care arena and realised that there wasn’t a leading name in the nail industry. Determination and drive brought me to London” Leighton Denny

After years of researching effective ingredients for hand and nail care, Leighton launched his own line of products, Leighton Denny Expert Nails – a leading range of hand and nail care products adored worldwide. The range today is a hit with top beauty editors and has featured across a number of leading publications from Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire, to Hello! and Grazia. Hard work and dedication to the range has resulted in a series of prestigious awards and accolades, such as a Cosmopolitan Award, Sunday Times Style, InStyle Best Beauty Buys and CEW. Over the last nine years, Leighton’s nail techniques being hailed as the ‘ultimate accessory’ in top glossy magazines, as well as national newspapers.

Leighton has recently appeared on GMTV, Elle UK TV, Channel M and Handbag TV.

Leighton counts Patsy Kensit and Jade Jagger as close friends and works regularly with many A-List celebrities – such as Geri Halliwell, Myleene Klass, Dita Von Teese and Victoria Beckham. In the past, Leighton has worked with worked with names such as Penelope Cruz, Jerry Hall, Kate Moss, Shirley Bassey and Helena Christianson and was resident manicurist for both Spice Girls Reunion Tour, and the Brit Awards 2008.

In addition to building a reputation as the ‘Master of Manicures’ in the UK, Leighton Denny is one of this year’s celebrity ambassadors for children’s charity Jeans for Genes 2009. Leighton has linked up with Jeans for Genes, alongside other celebrity names such as Zoe Ball, Jaime Winstone, Lemar and Jodie Kidd, to raise as much money and awareness as possible.

To find out more about Jeans for Genes, click here.

Over the course of his career, Leighton Denny has become a celebrity in his own right, with TV credits including appearances on GMTV, LK Today, This Morning, Channel 5 News and VH1 as well as his regular presenting sessions on well-known shopping channel QVC which have seen record sales for the brand. Leighton also remains a figurehead for the UK Beauty industry. He has a regular column in the highly respected international trade publication, Health & Beauty Salon Magazine and has a regular column in Now Magazine. Leighton is often asked to judge various events and awards such as InStyle Awards and many, many industry panels.

Aside from being a leading beauty expert, Leighton has an avid interest in interiors and resides in a beautiful, designer home in West London. Leighton has custom made most of the furniture himself throughout the with a strong ‘Masculine Bling’ theme running throughout - chesterfield style arm chairs with diamante buttons, Damien Hirst style stag antlers done in metal and diamante.

Leighton’s other interests include: Cooking, Worldwide Travel, Film, TV, Music, Fashion and Keeping Fit.