Introducing HONED: a clearer route to specialist support for SME employers

No growing SME can employ a specialist in every issue that affects its people and performance.

A forty-person company is unlikely to have a full-time employment lawyer, cyber security lead, financial wellbeing consultant, occupational health adviser and leadership coach. When a difficult issue emerges, responsibility often falls to the managing director, an office manager or a stretched HR lead.

That is why HONED was created.

Specialist help, organised around the problem

HONED is a curated network of independent specialists working across Financial Wellbeing, Wellbeing, Leadership, People & Talent, AI & Technology, and Performance. Aetas Workplace is part of that network.

Employers do not need to diagnose the professional discipline before asking for help. They can begin with the challenge itself: retention, absence, leadership, financial stress, AI readiness, cyber security or another issue affecting the organisation.

HONED then provides a clearer route to the specialist who does that work for a living. Where a challenge crosses disciplines, complementary specialists can work together rather than passing the employer from one disconnected adviser to another.

“HONED is a great idea and provides a genuinely valuable service to the SME market. It gives business owners a clear route to trusted specialist support when they need it.”

Darren Stones, Head of Business Development, Shop St.

Why Aetas Workplace is involved

Aetas Workplace helps SME leaders connect business performance with the financial wellbeing and long-term security of their people. But workplace challenges do not stop at the boundary of any one organisation’s expertise.

Being part of HONED allows us to introduce employers to trusted specialists in adjacent areas while remaining clear about who provides each service. Aetas Wealth, Aetas Workplace and Finch Theory are identified openly on their HONED pages, alongside the independent businesses in the wider network.

What employers can use

• Challenge-led navigation. Start with what is getting in the way rather than choosing a profession first.
• Named specialists. See who provides each service and which organisation they represent.
• Practical intelligence. Use clear employer-focused articles before deciding whether a conversation is needed.
• Events and training. Access sessions delivered by specialists across the network.

A useful first conversation

There is no lead auction and no obligation to buy. The intention is to educate first, build trust and make a relevant introduction when an employer is ready to act.

If you are unsure which specialist you need, a confidential Workplace Review can help clarify the problem and the most useful next step.

Explore HONED Performance & Wellbeing

HONED does not provide regulated financial advice. Where regulated advice is required, this is provided separately by Aetas Wealth.