The Apprentice 2015: Meet The Candidates
The Apprentice is set to return to our screens for its 11th series on Wednesday 14th October at 9pm on BBC One – and here’s a rundown of everything that you need to know before then…
After 10 years of service Nick Hewer has sadly decided to stand down as Lord Sugar’s sidekick but the contestants will now have to face turn-you-to-jelly-and-make-your-lip-quiver Claude Littner, whose become famous for his terrifying interview technique, as he has put contestants under the grill in previous series’.
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In a new twist, the contestants will not be divided into male or female groups for the opening show tasks but who are the candidates?
A former beauty queen, a builder and a private tutor are just a few in the mix and hoping to become Lord Alan Sugar’s apprentice. As usual, many arrive to the boardroom with bloated egos - “I’m the Swiss Army Knife of business skills,” claims one, literally asking to be skewered and roasted on the barbie by Sugar and Littner.
We’ve put together some mini reports for each of the candidates, so that you can get to know them better:
Aisha Kasim, 30
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Occupation: Inventor and hair extensions specialist.
Location: London.
Fact: Victoria Beckham is one of her greatest business inspirations, believing that her success has derived from following her passions.
She says: “Pressure makes diamonds. It’s something I respond well to, I think it’s go hard or go home.”
April Jackson, 26
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Occupation: Owner of a Jamaican boutique.
Location: London.
Fact: April was born in London, has lived in France, studied in New York and moved to Jamaica where she was later crowned ‘Miss Jamaica.’
She says: “I’m Jamaican - we come first. We win on the track and we will win in the boardroom.”
Brett Butler-Smythe, 28
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Occupation: Builder.
Location: Plymouth.
Fact: Brett believes that starting his own property company from scratch has been his biggest achievement to date.
He says: “I pride myself on not having any negative or bad traits… they’re all good, they’re all positive.”
Charleine Wain, 31
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Occupation: Hair and beauty salon owner.
Location: Plymouth.
Fact: Charleine served in the Royal Navy for 11 and a half years before leaving to start her own hair and beauty salon, and online clothing boutique.
She says: "I would describe myself as very determined, ambitious, and I always want to show that women can succeed in business.”
Dan Callaghan, 23
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Occupation: Director of a fragrance retailer.
Location: Manchester.
Fact: Dan lived in Belgium for a year, where he obtained his first job post-university as an MEP at the European Parliament.
He says: "I’m just a generally all round quite entertaining person, I think. A lot of people laugh at me.”
David Stevenson, 25
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Occupation: Owner of a sports marketing company.
Location: Nottingham.
Fact: David’s greatest achievement to date is that he promoted a high profile women’s football match at Wembly, which sold-out.
He says: "Me and Lord Sugar will work together because you’ve got age and beauty and those two go hand in hand all the time. Sugar’s got the age and I certainly am beautiful.”
Elle Stevenson, 21
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Occupation: Construction operations executive.
Location: London.
Fact: Elle cites Taylor Swift as her business inspiration, calling her ‘the best businesswoman of the 21st century.’
She says: "I hate anything mediocre. I can’t be middle… I’ve never been the person that comes second.”
Gary Poulton, 34
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Occupation: Programme manager.
Location: Nottingham.
Fact: Gary spent seven years as a programme manager, developing new store sites for a leading supermarket chain.
He says: "I look like the nice, easy-going, laidback Brummie. But once I start doing my business, people know I’m the real deal.”
Jenny Garbis, 23
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Occupation: Student.
Location: London.
Fact: Jenny is a keen feminist and says that Emma Watson is an inspiration to her, especially for her role in the recent ‘He for She’ campaign.
She says: "You will see my name in lights – Jenny Garbis, don’t forget that. That’s going to be a global name.”
Joseph Valente, 25
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Occupation: Owner of plumbing business.
Location: Peterborough.
Fact: Joseph believes that being a business owner is like being a parent and cites Hugh Hefner as one of his role models.
He says: “I am the definition of success. I’m the godfather of business and I’m here to make Lord Sugar a lot of money.”
Mergim Butaja, 23
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Occupation: Sales account manager.
Location: Coventry.
Fact: Mergim was born in Kosovo but fled from the war-torn country to the UK with his family when he was seven years old.
He says: “Why am I a worthy business partner for Lord Sugar? I’d be a challenge to him. Everyone he’s met probably sucks up to him. I won’t, I’ll tell him like it is.”
Natalie Dean, 25
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Occupation: Corporate account manager working in telecoms.
Location: Coventry.
Fact: Natalie describes herself as a tomboy, she plays football for the local women’s team and is passionate about supporting Sheffield Wednesday.
She says: “If I set my mind to something I won’t quit until I have done it.”
Richard Woods, 31
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Occupation: Digital marketing agency director.
Location: London.
Fact: Richard’s biggest inspiration is Richard Branson because of the business empire that he has managed to create.
He says: “I’m a Swiss army knife of bouncy skills, business skills, and enthusiasm. I’ve got everything highly tuned and highly chiselled.”
Ruth Whiteley, 47
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Occupation: Sales training consultancy owner.
Location: Harrogate.
Fact: Ruth’s biggest business achievement to date is setting up telephone sales teams for an online schooling company in Scotland and Australia, she was also responsible for expanding the growth of the sales team in Philadelphia, USA.
She says: “Lord Sugar might think I’m a bit gushing, he might find me over-zealous, but… he’ll think I’m great.”
Sam Curry, 23
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Occupation: Private tutor.
Location: London.
Fact: Sam has a passion for the arts and has starred in numerous film and stage productions.
He says: “I’m an interesting mix between happy-go-lucky and adventurous, and then quite logical and sensible. It’s a strange combination.”
Scott Saunders, 27
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Occupation: Senior account manager in sales.
Location: Hertfordshire.
Fact: Scott describes himself as sharp, motivated and “obsessed” with making his first million.
He says: “People do say… they’ve never met anyone like me.”
Selina Waterman-Smith, 31
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Occupation: Owner of an events agency.
Location: Dubai.
Fact: Selina has a background in performing arts, which she likes to incorporate into events that her company hosts.
She says: “I am strong minded… I do like to be the leader.”
Vana Koutsomitis, 27
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Occupation: Social media entrepreneur.
Location: Barcelona.
Fact: Vana grew up in New York, studied in Spain, France and China, and has lived in both Shanghai and London. She speaks five different languages.
She says: “I believe this is a marathon and if you have stamina, and if you do things with integrity, morals and direction, you can get where you want to go.”
