Ready to do business...
ALEKSANDRA KING, 38
Owner of a business consultancy from London SHE describes herself as altruistic, extremely confident, and believes she has a gift for spotting a good business opportunity. Aleksandra says: “Like the Tasmanian Devil in the famous cartoon, I will torpedo my way through to the win.”
COURTNEY WOOD, 29
Novelty gifts company owner from Essex HE DESCRIBES himself as fun with a positive attitude, and believes that his confidence is one of his strongest attributes. Courtney says: “How would I describe myself in one sentence? I’ll give you one word: awesome.”
FRANCES BISHOP, 25
Owner of a children’s clothing company, Doncaster SHE describes herself as talkative with a feisty personality – which she believes is what has got her so far in the business world. Frances says: “I’m a pocket rocket. I’m quite fiery and live by the rule ‘kill them with kindness’.”
GRAINNE McCOY, 31
Make-up studio owner from Northern Ireland SHE says her hunger and passion pushes her to succeed, and she puts maximum effort into everything she does. Grainne says: “I need guidance and a little bit of mentoring to help me make that first million.” HE BELIEVES he can make the best of any situation while still being a ‘good bloke’. JD says: “I won’t suffer fools. I will get upset by other candidates who don’t know their a**e from their elbow.”
JESSICA CUNNINGHAM, 29
Online fashion entrepreneur, from Derbyshire JESSICA wants to get close to the other candidates – to find out how they operate, analyse their strengths and weaknesses and attempt to use them to her advantage. Jessica says: “A motto I live by is: there is no competition if you’re already winning.”
KARTHIK NAGESAN, 33
IT consultancy owner, lives Northamptonshire HE SAYS his friends would describe him as a born leader who takes charge and blazes a trail. Karthik says: “If I wanted to be like everyone else, I’d have waxed my monobrow.”
MICHELLE NIZIOL, 35
Owner of a property consultancy, from Oxfordshire MICHELLE is the founder and owner of three companies in mortgages, property and lettings. She is a relentless workaholic – will this be enough to win Lord Sugar’s investment? Michelle says: “I have no fear of anybody else. I am confident in my own right.”
MUKAI NOIRI, 36
Digital marketing manager, fashion, from London MUKAI recently gave up his position as a senior communications manager to focus on his business idea. He says: “I feel sorry for Lord Sugar
because previous applicants have been weak.”
NATALIE HUGHES, 30
Hair and beautyy salon owner from m Glasgow NATALIE prides s herself on her ability to buy and sell with ease, and believes she has the motivation to win. She says: “I started at a young age, I’m a hustler, I’ve got the hustler’s s ambition.”
OLIVER NOHL-OSER, 33
Owner of a food distribution company, from Wiltshire HE BELIEVES his greatest business skills lie in his marketing ability and his powers of persuasion. Oliver says: “Sometimes I feel like James Bond when I’m in my suit.”
PAUL SULLIVAN, 38
Owner of a marketing agency, from Chigwell, Essex A SELF-PROCLAIMED charmer who doesn’t think he needs a ‘USP’ to win; consistency and sincerity will put Paul ahead. “I’ll play the team when I need to be part of the team, but I’m here to win... not to make up the numbers,” he says.
REBECCA JEFFERY, 31
Owner of a design and marketing agency, from Greater Manchester SHE prides herself on her infectious enthusiasm but admits numbers and calculations are her weakness. Rebecca says: “I’m proof that you can get things done without whinging.”
SAMUEL BOATENG, 27
Sales manager for a major car brand, from London SAMUEL says he has excellent public speaking abilities and admits he will be ‘on the charm offensive’, but doesn’t want to seem like an easy target. He says: “My creativity, my passion, my charm, and my likeability all roll into one, creating one perfect guy.”
SOFIANE KHELFA, 32
Senior sales executive, technology, from Essex
SOFIANE says he has the ability to adapt, deliver and build lasting relations with people in business, but his friends would say that he can sometimes be overzealous. He says: “The best survivors in the world are the people who adapt, and I’m the best at adapting. I’m like a chameleon. I adapt to anything, anywhere, anytime.”
TRISHNA THAKRAR, 28
Recruitment agent from London TRISHNA used to play football semi-professionally, and says her friends would describe her as engaging and funny. She says: “My only tactic is to be myself; this alone will make sure I win.”
The Apprentice starts on Thursday on BBC1 at 9pm.