Meet the contestants on The Apprentice

Meet the contestants on The Apprentice

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Wednesday, 22nd January 2025
Alan Sugar, a white man in his seventies, stands in front of the contestants for the 19th series of The Apprentice, the scene set against a London skyline with the sun low in the sky, covered by Sugar's body
Alan Sugar with the latest batch of contestants hoping to impress him (credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston)

The Apprentice will be making its return this month. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the theme tune. Before Lord Sugar fires all but one of them, get acquainted with the candidates trying to secure a life-changing investment opportunity.

Amber-Rose Badrudin

Amber-Rose Badrudin looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a red blazer
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

This London-based entrepreneur owns Oree Mart, Croydon’s Asian convenience store known for its TikTok-friendly bubble tea.

Badrudin wants to show young girls from a similar background to hers that success in business is possible.

“If Lord Sugar doesn’t invest in me, he would quite literally be leaving money on the table!” she says.

Anisa Khan

Anisa Khan looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a grey-blue blazer and white shirt
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

If you’ve ever tucked into a chicken tikka masala pizza, you’ve got this contestant to thank. As well as pioneering Indian-Italian fusion, Khan has also represented England in kabaddi, a traditional South Asian contact sport.

It makes sense, then, that she says “I’m ready to tackle every task head-on and show I have what it takes to succeed”.

Aoibheann Walsh

Aoibheann Walsh looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a black blazer and tie, white waistcoat and striped blue shirt
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Hailing from County Donegal, Walsh is seeking Lord Sugar’s support for a utility belt for hairdressers and make-up artists.

“The tools that artists typically wear are often not functional, ergonomic, or aesthetically appealing,” notes Walsh. “This realisation drove me to create a tool belt that is not only ergonomic but also enhances the entire creative process.”

Carlo Brancati

Carlo Brancati looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a pinkish-brown blazer, white shirt and floral tie and pocket square
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Brancati brings first-hand experience to his job as a hair transplant consultant. He (or rather, his scalp) has gone under the knife on two separate occasions. Now, he wants to “develop a user-friendly online platform that connects patients with the most reputable hair transplant clinics worldwide”.

“I set extremely high standards for myself,” Brancati says, “but I want to learn to embrace imperfections and focus on progress.”

Chisola Chitambala

Chisola Chitambala looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a green blazer and white shirt with a frilled piece
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Chitambala says that she gives “110% in everything I do”, so you can scratch that off your Apprentice bingo card.

True to her word, as well as running a virtual assistant company, she also plays netball, sings in a choir and reads to children.

In her own words, she is “a natural leader with an unwavering commitment to excellence”.

Dean Franklin

Dean Franklin looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a black blazer, white shirt and light brown tie with white and black diamonds
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

The Essex native spent the pandemic setting up an air conditioning supply and installation company, and is now “trying to become comfortable with being uncomfortable”.

“I honestly believe me and Lord Sugar are very similar,” he says. “He is very passionate about science and electronics and that’s pretty much what air conditioning is, this is what he has done in his businesses and it’s what he knows. This is right up his street. I’m just hoping he can show me the ropes and together we can get to the next level.”

Emma Rothwell

Emma Rothwell looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a pink blazer and a white shirt
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Rothwell’s business, an online gift store, was also a product of lockdown. What started as a side hustle in a garage is doing a roaring trade.

She’s hoping that Lord Sugar’s investment will help take her business “to the next level”.

“I’ve already created something successful and now I’m ready for the next stage,” she explains. “I’m a problem solver who never lets anything or anyone stop me for long.”

Emma Street

Emma Street looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a whitish lime green blazer, black shirt and black glasses
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

The second, but by no means lesser Emma is a corporate project manager in London. She wants to capitalise on Gen Z’s obsession with fitness and caffeine by making a healthy takeaway coffee.

A dab hand at consultancy and colour coding spreadsheets alike, she’s confident that “Lord Sugar and I can disrupt the coffee culture together, one shop at a time.”

Frederick Afrifa

Frederick Afrifa looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a grey blazer and waistcoat, white shirt and wine-red tie
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

A former national track athlete for Italy, Afrifa now makes his living as a motivational speaker. He’s coming to The Apprentice to grow his communication skills company.

“As someone who once struggled with the confidence to speak in public, appearing on The Apprentice is the ultimate test to showcase my communication skills,” he explains. “I don’t just want to make money: I want to do so while changing people’s lives for the better.”

Jana Denzel

Jana Denzel looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a textured brown blazer and tie, as well as a brown tie clip and pocket square
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

You might not know this contestant, but there’s a chance of seeing his work every time a celebrity opens their mouth.

Denzel runs a cosmetic dentistry practice in Harley Street, improving the smiles of film, TV and music royalty. He’s also got three – count them, three – degrees.

“My business plan is clear: scale up into a national force in the dental industry, offering exceptional care and innovative products,” he says. “If he wants to be part of something that will leave a lasting impact on this sector, investing in me and my business is a no-brainer.”

Jonny Heaver

Jonny Heaver looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a check blue blazer and waistcoat, white shirt and deep blue tie
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

In an environment known for its cutthroat personalities, Heaver is trying to be a breath of fresh air, and inject a bit of kindness into the world of business.

“I hope to prove that it is possible to succeed in business while also being compassionate,” he explains. “I have learned in my own business that success comes from inspiring those around you to share your goals and beliefs.”

He’s already set up a successful tutoring business: can he charm his way into Lord Sugar’s good books?

Jordan Dargan

Jordan Dargan looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a black blazer, waistcoat, shirt and pocket square, as well as a silver tie
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

The Dublin native is the youngest contestant in the show’s history. His 3D animation has helped businesses get millions of views on social media, and the entrepreneur isn’t planning on slowing down any time soon.

“I’m here to prove that age is just a number and location is just a time zone,” he says. “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.”

Keir Shave

Keir Shave looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a black blazer and waistcoat, white shirt and red tie with a thin grey recurring pattern over it
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Shave turned what would be most people’s worst nightmare into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. When his employer went bust, he set up a telemarketing business in just a few days.

“I have proven I can build and set up a successful business in a short time frame and work incredibly hard,” says Shave. “Drive, skill and passion are what’s required to have a successful business, and I have proven I have that in abundance.”

Liam Snellin

Liam Snellin looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a grey blazer, white shirt and blue tie
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Snellin has put his decade working as an electrician to good use in his clothing brand, which offers comfortable but fashionable workwear.

“I have been brought up [to believe that] if you want something you have to work for it and that doesn’t stop now,” he says. “I am going in to work hard, show my character and personality and earn this investment.”

Max England

Max England looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a white shirt, off-white blazer and black tie
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Formerly a professional tennis player, England has since swapped the court for the boardroom, working as a senior account manager.

“I like to think that the way I operate is firm but fair,” he explains. “There no doubt will be a number of enthusiastic and opinionated personalities who are all confident and bold like me. I’m looking forward to locking horns with them and seeing who comes out on top.”

Melica Moshiri

Melica Moshiri looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a red business-attire dress
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Moshiri is a dab hand at IT, having started a global AI tech recruitment business. The Apprentice will represent a step outside her comfort zone: the focus won’t be on technology so much as people.  technology use will be at a minimum, and creativity at a maximum.

“My business is profitable, and costs are minimal,” she says. “With Lord Sugar’s mentorship, we can only go up and multiply the investment in as little as a year. Lord Sugar will be making a big mistake if he doesn’t invest in me.”

Mia Collins

Mia Collins looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a blue business-attire dress
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Another fitness fanatic, Collins is a competitive bodybuilder with a successful meal prep business, and who also works in cybersecurity sales.

“I’ve built something I am truly passionate about and will continue to dedicate myself to,” the Cheltenham native explains. “I believe my business stands out in its industry—it’s about more than just meal prep; it’s about creating a healthier community.”

Nadia Suliaman

Nadia Suliaman looks into the camera in front of the London skyline, wearing a yellow business-attire dress
Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

If quitting your 9-to-5 isn’t nerve-wracking enough, try doing it a month before the pandemic.

That was what Suliaman had to put up with, but she rose to the challenge. Investing in a chain of salons has more than paid off, which now caters to a celebrity clientele.

“If I had listened to the world, I would never have started my own business,” Suliaman says. “Lord Sugar should invest in my business because of my ability to turn dreams into reality.”

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The Apprentice will be making its return this month. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the theme tune. Before Lord Sugar fires all but one of them, get acquainted with the candidates trying to secure a life-changing investment opportunity.