Battle of the b

SUNDERLAND entrepreneur Katie Bulmer- Cooke will make her first appearance on TV next Tuesday when BBC’s hugely successful The Apprentice kicks off for its 10th series.

The 29- year- old mum- of- one from Ashbrooke has already established her own internationally- successful online personal fitness and training business, was named UK Fitness Professional of the Year 2013 and has even been picked as High Street giant Argos’ resident health and fitness expert.

But coming up against Lord Alan Sugar in the boardroom, and having to battle the 19 other budding business tycoons might well be the biggest test yet for the woman who picked up the New Business of the Year trophy at the Sunderland Echo Portfolio Business Awards two years ago.

But who is our girl up against in her quest to be picked as Lord Sugar’s apprentice? Here we take a look at the other contestants.

The Apprentice begins with a double bill next week with programmes on consecutive days, Tuesday and Wednesday, before settling into a regular midweek 9pm slot. Bethenny Frankel as one of her business inspirations, as she saw a gap in the market to start Skinny Girl Cocktails and sold it for a huge profit.

She says she is confident, driven and creative, and being a risk taker has also made her a keen poker player in her spare time.

She says: “Manipulate, persuade and conquer. I would identify my opponent’s weaknesses and pick them off one by one.”

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