Frequently asked questions

HONED is a curated network of independent specialists who help SME businesses improve the performance of their people, their workplace and their organisation. It brings together experienced advisers across specialist areas covering financial wellbeing, wellbeing, leadership, people and talent, AI and technology, performance and more, so that a business owner has one place to go when something needs sorting.

HONED is for owners, directors and leadership teams of small and medium sized businesses, where the leadership team is stretched and there is no in-house specialist for every problem. If you are dealing with something to do with your people, your culture or how your business performs, there is likely to be someone in the network who does that work for a living.

There are several ways in. You can start with the challenge and browse our services, start with the person and look through the specialists, or start with the organisation and look at the businesses that make up the network. If you would rather talk it through first, get in touch: a short conversation is often the fastest way to find the right next step.

No. There is no charge for browsing HONED or speaking to the network. HONED does not add a margin to a specialist’s fees and does not receive a referral or introducer payment. Any subsequent work, its scope and its cost are agreed directly between you and the specialist.

HONED is a curated network rather than an open directory. Specialists are selected according to their area of expertise, relevant skills and their ability to support the practical needs of SMEs.

No. HONED is built on education and trust rather than hard selling. We do not auction leads and no specialist is under pressure to sign you up. Introductions are made because someone in the network knows the right person for what you have described, and you decide what happens next.

No. HONED does not provide regulated financial advice. Where regulated advice is needed, for example on pensions, investments or protection, it is provided separately by Aetas Wealth, operating as a trading style of Insight Financial Associates Limited (FCA 458421).

HONED is operated by Finch Theory Limited. The Aetas Wealth and Aetas Workplace services are represented within the network, alongside independent specialist businesses. Each profile explains the relevant relationship.

Get in touch through the Contact page and tell us what you are dealing with. The directory covers a range of specialist areas, but the network is wider than the website, and if we do not have the right person we will say so rather than make a poor match.

Yes. HONED and its members run webinars, workshops and in-person sessions through the year on topics such as financial wellbeing, leadership, engagement and performance. Event availability and pricing vary by provider. Check the individual event listing for the current details. The Events page lists what is coming up.

HONED Partners is the membership side of the network: a relaxed, informal group of independent specialists who meet to build relationships, share insight and make thoughtful introductions to one another and to the employers who come to HONED for help.

Independent specialists and small advisory businesses whose work helps SMEs with their people, workplace or performance. Most members work in one or more specialist areas, including financial wellbeing, wellbeing, leadership, people and talent, AI and technology, performance, business development and curated conversations. What matters more than the discipline is how you work: members are senior, experienced and comfortable putting the client’s interest ahead of their own pipeline.

The best first step is to come along to a session as a guest. It lets you see how the group works and whether it is a good fit, and it lets the members meet you. If both sides are happy, we talk about membership. You can ask to attend through the Contact page, or through any existing member who knows you.

There is no membership subscription. Members pay a £25 monthly administration fee to support the running of the network.

HONED works because members trust each other. In practice that means putting the client’s needs first and saying so when you are not the right person, making introductions thoughtfully and with the client’s knowledge, turning up to sessions when you can and contributing, representing HONED and fellow members accurately and generously, and no hard selling, inside the network or to the businesses it introduces you to.

Introductions come through relationships rather than a lead system. When an employer describes a challenge, HONED or a member who knows the situation suggests the specialist best placed to help, and you take it from there directly. Members are also expected to introduce one another where a client would benefit.

The network meets monthly, with dates listed on the Events page.

Yes. Every HONED member is entitled to a profile on the HONED website, listed in the directory with a profile page and an organisation page, linked to the service areas they cover.

No. HONED provides national UK coverage and members are spread across the country.

Use the Contact page on honedperformance.uk, or speak to any existing member.