Nail & beauty names recognised in King’s New Year Honours List 2024

His Majesty’s New Year Honours List 2024 has been published, marking the achievements and service of extraordinary people from all walks of life across the UK. Two beauty names have been awarded…

Jane Boardman

Photo courtesy of LEZLI + ROSE.

Founding chair of the British Beauty Council (BBCo) & CEO of communications agency, M&C Saatchi Talk, Jane Boardman, has been appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to fashion and beauty.

Throughout her career, the communications strategist & PR entrepreneur has been committed to raising the profile of the UK fashion and beauty industries, becoming an adviser to the British Fashion Council (BFC) in 2008. 10 years later, she co-founded the BBCo, to represent the voices, opinions and needs of the British beauty industry. Jane also sits on the board of the Fragrance Foundation UK.

She stepped down as chair of the British Beauty Council in 2022 but retained the title of founding chair, having provided strategic support across four years of the organisation’s campaigns, including Bring Back Beauty, which encouraged beauty lovers and professionals to safely return to shops, salons and barbers.

Jane comments: “Beauty is a wonderful industry. It is a hugely important part of the British economy and major employer. It has breadth and depth of career opportunities spanning both science and creativity, allows us all to express ourselves, and solves many personal skin and hair problems.

“I am immensely honoured to have been awarded an OBE for my services to fashion and beauty. I feel privileged to have played a small role in elevating the work of the leaders of these incredible industries, particularly Caroline Rush CBE, Dylan Jones OBE and Millie Kendall OBE.

“I will continue to champion the industries I love, supporting businesses that make a difference and break new boundaries in their field.”

“Jane has been notably influential in raising the reputation of the beauty industry in the UK, and is incredibly deserving of recognition in 2024’s Honours List,” adds Millie Kendall OBE.

“Jane saw the Council through its inception and some of the industry’s most adverse years to date, and was an invaluable support to me throughout her tenure as chair. I am absolutely thrilled for Jane, and delighted that she has been honoured in such a way. There is no doubt that Jane’s leadership can, and will still, be felt for years to come.”

Tajinder Banwait

Beauty entrepreneur, Tajinder Banwait, has been appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2024 Honours, for services to business and the beauty industry.

The Department for Business and Trade Midlands Export Champion founded luxury fragrance, home, bath and body brand, Urban Apothecary London, in 2012, which serves 34 international markets. In 2022, she received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, before launching nail brand, Palette London, last year.

The brand offers Nail Paint colours, a base coat, top coats and a cuticle oil, all of which are vegan, cruelty-free and made from a minimum of 70% plant-based ingredients. Nail Paint brushes are even produced from castor bean oil.

Tajinder also mentors other businesses, for example through the Santander Breakthrough Women Business Leaders’ Mentoring Programme.

She comments: “I am honoured to receive an MBE for services to business and the beauty industry. When I think back to Urban Apothecary’s humble beginnings at my kitchen table over ten years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined receiving such recognition for the positive impact of my work.

“I consider myself fortunate to be doing what I love, from creating fragrances and hand-pouring candles in my Leicestershire factory to championing export, supporting British manufacturing, promoting female entrepreneurs and leading the way for South Asian businesses to thrive.”