Meet Alan Sugar’s new Apprentices including a Ninja Warrior star, a hair transplant mogul and a sexy corner shop boss
LORD Alan Sugar is back and ready to put a fresh batch of candidates through their paces as The Apprentice returns for another high-stakes series.
This year’s line-up is more eclectic than ever, featuring a Ninja Warrior competitor, a hair transplant entrepreneur, and a corner shop boss who’s already turning heads with their confidence and charm.
As they battle it out for a coveted £250,000 investment in often hair-bained business ventures, fans can expect the usual mix of boardroom drama, jaw-dropping blunders, and high-pressure challenges.
Lord Sugar will once again be joined by trusted aides Karren Brady and Tim Campbell, as they sift through the wannabe moguls’ strengths and weaknesses.
Will any of these bold contestants prove themselves worthy of Sugar’s investment, or will the boardroom echo with the infamous words, “You’re fired”?
Amber-Rose Badrudin, Convenience Store Owner
Amber-Rose, from London, is no stranger to posing up a storm on her social media, sharing glimpses of her glamorous life travelling the globe to her influencer following.
The Asian convenience store owner certainly caught the attention of her fellow co-stars, as it was revealed last month she had been caught red-handed half-naked with a show rival during filming.
The cherry red-headed star broke the “no touching” rules while completing a task in Turkey.
However, brushing off the set-back that saw production staff forced to remind her of the series’ strict sex ban: “If Lord Sugar doesn’t invest in me, he would quite literally be leaving money on the table!”
Max England, Senior Account Manager & Former Tennis Player
Max, from Surrey, looks ready to bat away the competition.
The former professional tennis player admits he is super competitive, which explains why he quickly climbed the business ladder working within a company that makes and sells CBD based drinks.
When he’s not in the boardroom, Max is busy with a game of padel – a racket sport that mixes tennis, squash and badminton, and is the fastest growing racket sport in the world.
He said of his business plan to market on the popularity of padel: “I’m a former top UK tennis player, now turned padel enthusiast, with an abundance of knowledge and contacts within the industry.
“I’m ultimately offering Lord Sugar the opportunity to get involved in one of – if not the – most exciting, most investable areas out there at the moment.”
Mia Collins, Meal Prep Entrepreneur
Mia, from Cheltenham, no doubt has the strength to carry herself in the boardroom, if her career as a competitive bodybuilder is anything to go by.
Owning her own fully catered meal service for gym goers looking for easy alternatives to cooking, she is ready to flex her business muscles by working hard to convince Lord Sugar for his investment.
It means Mia’s not too worried about the competition, saying: “I’ll be up against some fierce competition, but I’ve built something I am truly passionate about and will continue to dedicate myself to.”
Frederick Afrifa, Motivational Speaker & Former Athlete
Frederick, from Milton Keynes, might be able to outrun any of his fellow candidates, thanks to his former career as a runner, that saw him compete for Italy’s national team.
Having secured two gold medals, he changed tact going into a career as a motivational speaker, where his focus is boosting the confidence of both adults and children alike.
The Apprentice isn’t Frederick’s first time on screen, however – having competed on Ninja Warrior UK five years ago, wiping out on the course before the final.
And while Lord Sugar’s investment is important, Frederick insists it’s not the most important thing that could come out of the show, explaining: “I don’t want to make money, I want to change people’s lives.”
Anisa Khan, Pizza Business Owner
Anisa, from London, is ready for a fight in the boardroom, thanks to her being part of the English National team for Kabaddi, a contact sport from India.
The young business owner kickstarted her own brand, Bombay Pizza, by combining her love of Italian cuisine with the experience of watching her father run his own restaurant.
Keen to put a stamp on the food industry with her unique flavours, she said: “My business is small now, but has immense potential, with a unique concept that’s already proven its appeal.”
Aoibheann Walsh, Hair and Beauty Salon Owner
Aoibheann, from County Donegal, is the owner of an award-winning salon that specialises is make-up.
The former model and CrossFit enthusiast has already got the celebrity touch, having previously worked with the likes of former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips.
Having designed a product for hairdressers, make-up artists and costume designers, she said of winning the show: “Like Lord Sugar, I have achieved success with hard work but what I need now, is an investor.”
Carlo Brancati, Hair Transplant Consultant
Carlo, from Middlesborough, formerly had his own jewellery business before becoming a hair transplant consultant following his own successful treatment in Turkey.
Having suffered significant hair loss at the age of 25, he was pushed to undergo a transplant following cruel taunts from his own brother, but got his own back by turning the experience into a business helping his thousands of followers find the best treatment for them.
He said: “I’ve worked 15-hour days over the past several years to master the tools of modern entrepreneurship. Simply put, no one works harder than me!”
Chisola Chitambala, Virtual Assistant Company Owner
Chisola, from Essex, is no stranger to posing for a glamorous photo on her travels when she’s not busy with her virtual assistant company, which she started after securing her Masters in Business.
But Lord Sugar better move quickly if he’s to invest in her, as Chisola is already turning down offers from other parties with eyes on her big money-making business.
She said: “Despite tempting offers and significant financial incentive, my business partner and I declined.
“I believe I deserve Lord Sugar’s investment because I’m a natural leader with an unwavering commitment to excellence, and I thrive in high-pressure situations.”
Dean Franklin, Air Conditioning Company Owner
Dean, from Essex, is a proud family man and owner of an air conditioning company set up in the pandemic. Aside from being a devoted dad to his two children, who he shares with wife Chloe, he was recently awarded Best Tradesperson of the Year thanks to his dozens of five-star reviews.
This Essex boy is hoping that he can secure the investment by proving that, like Lord Sugar, he has what it takes to build a business from scratch in his hometown – and the gift of the gab.
He said: “I honestly believe me and Lord Sugar are very similar. I’m just hoping he can show me the
ropes and together we can get to the next level.”
Emma Rothwell, Online Gift Store Owner
Emma, from Lancashire, started her mug-making business as a side-hustle in her boyfriend Kyle’s garage – but is now making hundreds-of-thousands in sales thanks to her business smarts.
Her company, Quirky Giraffe, celebrated 40,00 sales and has had to expand into its own space after outgrowing the space at home.
An Apprentice superfan, not only does Emma admit that the BBC One show is her favourite to watch, but she’s attended advisor Karren Brady’s Women In Business talks to get ahead.
She’s keen for her fellow candidates not to underestimate her because of her quirky business, saying: “I plan to prove that you can be successful if you put your mind to it, regardless of what anyone tells you.”
Emma Street, Corporate Project Manager
Emma, from London, is no stranger to pushing her body to the limit as a keen gym goer – and now she’s used her fitness industry smarts to start up her own business.
Emma, who works at a consulting company, found a gap in the market for healthy takeaway coffee and hopes it’s enough to grab Lord Sugar’s attention and get him to invest.
She teased: “As a coffee and fitness obsessed GenZ, the most apparent gap in the market to me is the accessibility to takeaway coffee that adds to your health, rather than detracts from it.
“My business plan is a true gap in the market and with a clear vision, Lord Sugar and I can disrupt coffee culture together, one shop at a time.”
Dr Jana Denzel, Cosmetic Dentist
Dr Jana, from London, has built a leading Harley Street cosmetic dentistry practice with dozens of Hollywood A-list customers by himself, from the ground up.
He’s recently worked with singer-songwriter Tems, Love Island’s Summer Botwe and YouTube star Chunks.
It’s not just his A-list pals that could help him get a head start in the competition, but that he and former The Apprentice star, dentist Dr Paul Midha, are connected on social media.
Unlike Dr Paul, he doesn’t want to miss out on the investment, saying: “Lord Sugar is known for making smart, bold investments, and my business has the potential to disrupt and transform the UK dental industry.”
Jonny Heaver, Tutoring Company Owner
JONNY, from Kent, might have the brains to convince Lord Sugar to invest in his business, after starting up his own tutoring agency while studying at university.
But while he may have the smarts – his friendly personality, which saw him hit the news during the pandemic for helping elderly neighbours with their shopping – might have to take a back seat in the boardroom.
Nonetheless, Jonny thinks he has what it takes.
He said: “I run a successful company in a massive and growing market, but also because, like Lord Sugar, I have faced setbacks in my life and have channelled them into opportunities.
“I think Lord Sugar has done the same, which would make us a strong team.”
Jordan Dargan, Animation Entrepreneur
JORDAN, from Dublin, is hoping being the youngest contender yet on the show will be his advantage.
The entrepreneur, who set up his own 3D animation firm and has worked with viral drinks brand Prime, already has the support of former -contestant Maura Rath on social media.
Jordan, who is also posts his singing talents online, could at least win over Lord Sugar with his musical gags in the boardroom.
He said: “I want to turn my one-man band into an orchestra of the world’s most talented 3D artists to take my business to the next level.”
Kier Shave, Telemarketing Company Owner
KIER, from Leeds, set up his own telemarketing business in just three days – and now employs an impressive 40 staff members.
In fact, his company has grown so rapidly over the past year that they now have their own 35,000 sq ft of office space.
Despite usually being surrounded by so many co-workers, Kier’s biggest worry on the show is being alongside his fellow candidates.
He said: “The biggest challenge is living in a house with strangers. I have never lived with anyone except myself and my family so it will be a different experience.”
Liam Snellin, Workwear Brand Owner
LIAM, from Essex, isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty with hard graft thanks to his past as a tradesperson.
Now, he owns a workwear clothing brand, Comodo Workwear, which has been such a success it’s even seen Liam appear on telly before to talk about the business alongside pop star Peter Andre.
His success, including being awarded the best workwear brand in the UK, means he is confident going into the TV boardroom.
He said: “Going in I have nothing to prove, I know what I am capable of and know I have the tools to win.”
Melica Moshiri, Tech Recruitment Company Owner
MELICA, from West Sussex, hopes to fly high in the show, given that she – just like Lord Sugar – can fly planes.
The businesswoman, who works in AI tech recruitment, spends most of her time travelling the globe, posing from Vietnam, Cyprus, Italy, Spain and more on her social media.
But her experience around the work means Melica is confident she can multiply the winner’s £250,000 in just a year.
She said: “Lord Sugar will be making a big mistake if he doesn’t invest in me.”
Nadia Suliaman, Hair Salon Chain Owner
NADIA, from Swansea, already has the celebrity connections to make sure her business is a success.
The owner of a premium chain of hair salons, Forbici, her glamorous social media pages see her working with hoards of celebrity influencers.
She said: “Lord Sugar should invest in my business because of my ability to turn dreams into reality.
“If I had listened to the world, I would never have started my own business.”