For many aspiring businesses, winning The Apprentice can be the pinnacle of success, with the chance of winning a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar.
When the show began in 2005, the winners secured a £100,000-a-year job with one of Lord Sugar's companies.
But when 2010 winner Stella English tried to sue Lord Sugar for wrongful dismissal, things turned sour and the following year the prize was changed to a sum of £250,000 invested by Sugar in the winner's own business.
And while some have maintained their relationship with Lord Sugar for many years, others have chosen to walk away from the investment for various reasons.
As the new series of The Apprentice begins with a new batch of business hopefuls, Web takes a look at the winners who have since parted ways with Lord Sugar…
Joseph Valente – Series 11 (2015)
Joseph Valente was crowned “The Apprentice” champion in 2015, but two years after receiving the investment for his plumbing business, they parted ways
Joseph was forced to sell his boiler installation business for an undisclosed amount in 2020 after claims it owed creditors almost £2 million
Just two years after receiving Lord Sugar's six-figure investment in his plumbing business, Joseph Valente decided to part ways with him.
Joseph announced that he would take full control of ImpraGas – yet they ended their partnership on amicable terms.
At the time, Lord Sugar said: “I continue to be at your side with advice and support. “I wish Joseph and ImpraGas all the best for the future and will follow their progress with great affection.”
The Apprentice boss divested himself of his share of the company, and Joseph acquired his shares and took full control of the company.
Joseph added: “I am so grateful to Lord Sugar for everything he has done for me and I could not have asked for a better partner in the early stages of my business career.”
“I have a lot to thank him for.” “I am confident that I can continue to successfully expand the company with the successful business model we have created together.”
Joseph was forced to sell his boiler installation business for an undisclosed amount in 2020 after claims it owed creditors almost £2 million.
Shell company VBH Assets, also co-owned by Joseph, then went into voluntary liquidation, owing creditors £1.9m.
Joseph has previously spoken at length about his struggles with depression and the public criticism he faced following the failure of his business.
The star, who became a father in 2021, told The Mirror: “It really hit me, I was really depressed for a few months and one day I woke up and thought, 'There's no way I'm going to let that happen.' This is destroying me.
“I had to rebuild my credibility and reputation.”
Since then, Joseph has embarked on a course on how to support and grow new and existing businesses, and they have gone from strength to strength.
Alana Spencer – Series 12 (2016)
Alana Spencer received the huge investment from Lord Sugar in 2016 to support her baking business Ridiculously Rich. Three years later she bought back his shares
Alana received the huge investment from Lord Sugar to support her baking business, Ridiculously Rich.
She previously revealed her turnover rose from £100,000 to £450,000 in a year thanks to winning The Apprentice.
Three years after her victory, Alana bought back Lord Sugar's shares and became the sole owner and director of the company in 2019.
She wrote on social media: “A while ago I had the great opportunity to buy out Lord Sugar from Ridiculously Rich and take back full control of my company,” she explained on social media.
“It's been an exciting, crazy and scary few months agreeing and sorting out the final details, but I'm so grateful for that.”
She added: “Working with Lord Sugar was an incredible experience and I learned so much in such a short time.” “I'm so grateful for his time in Alana's Ridiculously Rich.”
Lord Sugar wished her good luck and said, “I will follow Alana's progress with great affection.”
James White and Sarah Lynn – Series 13 (2017)
James White and Sarah Lynn were both credited with Lord Sugar's Investment in a Surprising Twist in 2016, with both achieving varying degrees of success
During Season 13 of The Apprentice, Lord Sugar made the surprising decision to award his investment to two finalists.
This year he invested £500,000, with half going to James' IT recruitment firm and the other half to Sarah's confectionery business.
Sarah's personalized sweets business, Sweets in the City, has gone from strength to strength since Lord Sugar joined as a partner.
The brand is now available at Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.
James' business has had a much rockier road and he is said to have suffered a series of “unfortunate setbacks” and lost £30,000 in the first six months of his IT recruitment business, Right Time Recruitment.
In December 2020, it was revealed that James and Lord Sugar had parted ways, but he was still able to keep the money he received from the investment.
“I wish James all the best for the future and will follow his progress with interest,” Lord Sugar said in a statement.
THE TRAINEES 2024: MEET THE CANDIDATES
Amina Khan
Occupation: Pharmacist and entrepreneur
Location: Ilford
Amina has been a trained pharmacist for over a decade and in that time has built a successful skin care and nutritional supplements business.
Flo Edwards
Occupation: HR consultant
Location: London
Flo revealed that she had started her own consulting firm, which prepared her to tackle Lord Sugar.
Foluso Falade
Occupation: Project manager
Location: Manchester
Foluso describes herself as the “Mary Poppins of business” and revealed that her goal is to lead the first social enterprise to win investment from Lord Sugar.
Maura Rath
Occupation: Owner, yoga business
Location: Wexford
Maura expresses her role as a yoga teacher in her appearance.
Noor Bouziane
Occupation: Owner, jewelry company
Location: Liverpool
Ambitious premium jewelry business owner Noor explained that she will generate a wealth of revenue for Lord Sugar thanks to the uniqueness of her business.
Onyeka Nweze
Occupation: Chartered Company Secretary
Location: London
Onyeka revealed that their plan is to be Lord Sugar's first technology investment in eighteen series.
Rachel Woolford
Occupation: Owner of a boutique fitness studio
Location: Leeds
Rachel has been entrepreneurial from a young age and has plenty of experience in managing her work independently. In addition to her hard work at the office, she also shares her fitness successes on social media, including completing the New York Marathon in 2019.
Raj Chohan
Occupation: Mortgage broker
Location: Leamington Spa
Raj admits that as an amateur gardener, she is determined to have fun at work – as seen on her entertaining Instagram account. A self-confessed “dog with a bone” when it comes to achieving her goals, she wants to fill a gap in the market and will do whatever it takes to be successful.
Sam Saadet
Occupation: Fitness trainer before and after birth
Location: Essex
Sam revealed that her friends call her a real Del Boy because she is a “parts dealer” and because she has a nose for a bargain. As an online fitness trainer focused on mothers and expectant mothers, she hopes to show Lord Sugar her business acumen.
Asif Munaf
Occupation: Owner, wellness brand
Location: Sheffield
Asif boldly describes himself in his CV as “beauty, mind, body and business”. The qualified doctor's business plan focuses on vitamins and nutritional supplements.
Jack Davies
Occupation: Recruitment Manager
Location: Bristol
In addition to his work as an HR manager, Jack also acts as a food inspector, meaning he is prepared for challenges with a diverse range of knowledge and skills.
Oliver Medforth
Occupation: Sales Manager
Location: Yorkshire
Due to his experience as a seller at markets, Oliver is looking forward to the famous sales tasks. He is often seen showcasing his wares on social media – particularly his gin range.
Paul Bowen
Occupation: Director, Pie Company
Location: Lancashire
As one of two cake company experts taking part in the process, Paul is proud that his company serves high-profile clients such as Manchester City Football Club.
Paul Midha
Occupation: Owner, Dental Group
Location: Leeds
Paul began his practice using all the resources available to him. Accustomed to extensive learning through his dental studies, Paul is excited about Lord Sugar's investment and all it can teach him about the business world.
Phil Turner
Occupation: Owner of a cake company
Location: Bognor Regis
Phil was awarded the 2020 Supreme Pie Champion for his family-run pie business, which dates back to the 1930s. He hopes to prove himself to Lord Sugar and make him some real money.
Steve Darken
Occupation: Management consultant
Location: London
Steve claims that he shares Lord Sugar's sharp intellect and sense of humor. As an advisor to “some of the largest companies in the world,” he is ready to take on the board position.
Tre Lowe
Occupation: Music and wellness entrepreneur
Location: London
Tre had become famous before, including in the British garage band Architechs. His Instagram account is a who's who of the showbiz world, including snaps with Simon Cowell and Emily Ratajkowski.
Virdi Singh Mazaria
Occupation: Music producer
Location: Leicester
DJ Virdi wants to introduce Lord Sugar to a world he hasn't yet invested in – music. His life is certainly full of luxury as he often shares snaps on flash vacations and in front of expensive cars.