A Scots hustler, a zombie nut and a man in make-up... it’s Apprentice time
THE latest mob of egotists and know it alls ready to tear each other apart to be Lord Sugar’s next Apprentice were revealed yesterday. They will be on BBC1 from next Thursday but for now, here’s who to look out for...
1. THE GOOD BLOKE
JD O’Brien, 37, of London, owns a beachwear firm. He believes he can make the best of any situation while still being a ‘good bloke’. He says he is going to put in the hard work and aims to make no mistakes along the way. ‘I won’t suffer fools,’ he says.
2. THE HUSTLER
Natalie Hughes, 30, of Glasgow, owns a hair and beauty salon. She considers her best quality to be her quick thinking, but she is also a persuasive talker who insists nothing embarrasses her. ‘I’m a hustler, I’ve got the hustler’s ambition,’ she says.
3. THE BORN LEADER
Karthik Nagesan, 33, runs an IT consultancy owner and lives in Northamptonshire. He says his friends would describe him as a born leader who takes charge and blazes a trail. He cites his role model as Alexander the Great because he is a master strategist and a brilliant tactician.
4. NOVELTY CANDIDATE
Courtney Wood, 29, from Essex, runs a novelty gift company. He describes himself as fun with a positive attitude. He believes his confidence is one of his strongest attributes. He sums himself up in one word: ‘Awesome.’
5. THE POCKET ROCKET
Frances Bishop, 25, of Doncaster, owns a children’s clothing firm. She describes herself as feisty and wants to impress Lord Sugar with her strong, positive outlook. ‘I’m a pocket rocket. I’m quite fiery and live by the rule “kill them with kindness”’, she says. Judging from her social media, she also appears to have taken part in beauty contests.
6. THE BAKING QUEEN
Alana Spencer, 24, has a cake business in Ceredigion, Mid Wales. She describes herself as determined, creative and charming. She started her first business – a chocolate company – at 17 before moving on to selling cakes.
7. MAN IN MASCARA
Dillon St Paul, 37, from Dublin, is art director for a fashion magazine. He intends to be ‘Machiavellian’ about tasks and will tell white lies if he needs to. Top quote: ‘Sometimes batting the eyelashes can get you a lot in business. Hence, the mascara comes in handy – so they can see those lashes.’
8. GIRL ON THE BALL
Trishna Thakrar, 28, is a recruitment agent from London. A former semi-professional football player, Thakrar says her best business skill lies in her charm, but that her sensitivity could be her downfall as, if you cross her, she will not hold back. ‘My only tactic is to be myself; this alone will make sure I win.’
9. THE NUMBER DUNCE
Rebecca Jeffery, 31, owns a design and marketing agency. She prides herself on being relentless but admits numbers and calculations are a weakness for her. Top quote: ‘People often foolishly mistake my enthusiasm for silliness or positivity for naivety. I’m proof that you can get things done without whingeing.’
10. THE LINGUIST
Fluent in seven languages, Aleksandra King, 38, of London, owns a business consultancy. She describes herself as altruistic and confident, while she also believes she has a gift for spotting a good business opportunity and can sell to anyone. Top quote: ‘Like the Tasmanian devil in the famous cartoon, I will torpedo my way through to the win.’
11. THE WORKAHOLIC
Michelle Niziol, 35, owns a property consultancy in Oxfordshire. She describes herself as straighttalking, passionate and honest but admits that she can sometimes be bossy and impatient. Top quote: ‘I work 15 to 17 hours every day…I’m a workaholic.’
12. THE GLOBETROTTER
Mukai Noiri, 36, is a digital marketing manager from London. He has lived in six countries across three continents and recently gave up his position as a senior communications manager to focus on his business idea. He believes his charm is one of his strongest qualities but is also a straight-talker.
13. THE CHAMELEON
Sofiane Khelfa, 32, is a technology sales executive from Essex. Khelfa says he has the ability to adapt, deliver and build lasting relationships with people in business. He believes when he gets down to business, his skills and personal- ity will shine. Top quote: ‘I’m like a chameleon. I adapt to anything, anywhere, anytime.’
14. THE CAR DEALER
Samuel Boateng, 27, is a sales manager for a major car brand. He regards his ability in developing new and innovative ideas to be his strongest business skill, and says he has excellent public speaking abilities.
15. THE SAUSAGE BOSS
Oliver Nohl-Oser, 33, is the founder of a sausage manufacturer which supplies supermarkets in the UK and internationally. ‘Sometimes I feel like James Bond when I’m in my suit,’ he says.
16. THE FASHIONISTA
Jessica Cunningham, 29, is an online fashion entrepreneur from Derbyshire. She believes her positive, helpful attitude will propel her through tasks. She 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.
17. THE CHARMER
Paul Sullivan, 38, runs a marketing agency in Essex, specialising in finance, technology, construction and property. He is a self-proclaimed charmer but doesn’t think he needs a unique selling point to win; consistency and sincerity will put him ahead, he says.
18. THE ZOMBIE FAN
Gráinne McCoy, 31, is a make-up studio owner with a penchant for Zombies. The picture inset shows her in full horror mode. She works on projects from film sets to fashion shows and says her hunger and passion push her to succeed.