It was a pleasure to welcome Thea Green MBE, founder of Nails Inc, to our school last week for an inspiring talk as part of the Nicholls Lecture Series.
Addressing our Sixth Form students, Thea delivered a truly inspiring and engaging talk, sharing her journey from growing up on the Wirral and attending a local school, to becoming one of the UK’s most recognised entrepreneurs in the beauty industry. From an early age, she knew she wanted to work in fashion, a passion she pursued through her studies at the London College of Fashion before beginning her career in journalism at a leading magazine.
Thea spoke candidly about how her entrepreneurial spirit led her to found Nails Inc in 1999, revolutionising the beauty industry with fast, fashion-forward nail bars. Under her leadership, the brand expanded to more than 50 locations across the UK and became globally renowned for its innovation. From spray-on nail polish to bold collaborations, including a memorable partnership with an American cheese brand, Thea demonstrated how creativity and a willingness to think differently can open up entirely new markets.
While sharing highlights of her success, including collaborations with figures such as Victoria Beckham, Thea also spoke honestly about the challenges she has faced. She emphasised the importance of resilience, determination and building a strong team, key messages that resonated deeply with students considering their own future paths.
Following the recent sale of Nails Inc to a US beauty company, Thea continues to play a consultancy role within the business. She also hinted at exciting future ventures, potentially within the health and fitness sector, leaving students inspired by her ongoing ambition and drive.
The visit concluded with a lively Q&A session, where students had the opportunity to ask insightful questions and gain further advice. Attendees were also treated to luxury goodie bags featuring a selection of Nails Inc products, including a range of stylish shades.
We extend our sincere thanks to Thea for delivering such a thought-provoking and memorable lecture. It was an invaluable experience for our students – what a fortunate audience they were!
Thea is the latest speaker in our weekly Nicholls Lecture Series which has seen a range of speakers visit the school to deliver talks to our Sixth Form on a range of diverse topics. Recent speakers have included Claire Fuller, National Medical Director at NHS England and Dr Stephen Finnegan, Associate Professor of Sustainable Design in the School of Architecture, University of Liverpool and Ms Sarah Bell, partner, at International Law Firm, DLA Piper.
About Thea Green MBE
Thea Green MBE is the founder of Nails Inc and a leading figure in the global beauty industry. Educated at Birkenhead High School, she later studied at the London College of Fashion, where her passion for fashion and innovation took shape.
Since founding Nails Inc in 1999, Thea has transformed the nail care market, bringing professional services into mainstream retail and developing globally recognised beauty products now stocked by major retailers including Boots, Superdrug, Sephora, Cult Beauty, Target and Walmart.
Innovation has remained central to the brand’s success, with numerous industry-first products and concepts. In 2011, Thea was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for Services to the Beauty Industry.
In 2024, after more than two decades at the helm, she sold Nails Inc to a US-based beauty company, marking an exciting new chapter in the brand’s international growth. Today, Thea continues to champion entrepreneurship, innovation and British beauty worldwide.
