A new series of The Apprentice begins on Wednesday, with a fresh group of would-be entrepreneurs hoping to prove their business acumen to Lord Sugar. The show has been used as a platform to success by some former contestants, and we’ve researched some of those who have gone on to start successful businesses after leaving the show.
Tom Pellereau
Pellereau won the seventh series of the Apprentice in 2011. Many will remember him as the inventor behind the Stylfile S-file, a curved nail filer which brought him moderate commercial success prior to his appearance on the Apprentice.
Following his win he founded AvenTom Limited with Lord Sugar, focusing on reinventing beauty accessories. The company made £834,667 turnover for the year ended 30 June 2016, with £52,236 profit for the financial year.
Ricky Martin
Martin won the eighth series of the Apprentice in 2012. A strong candidate throughout, Martin excelled where many have crumbled during the grueling semi-final interviews and he has since come back to interview hopeful candidates on subsequent series.
Soon after his win, he founded Hyper Recruitment Solutions Limited (HRS) with Lord Sugar. HRS had a £2,679,435 turnover for the year ended 30 June 2016, with £294,774 profit for the financial year.
Leah Totton
Totton won the ninth series of the Apprentice in 2013. A trained doctor, Totton triumphed over Luisa Zissman in an all-female final but faced some criticism over the ethics of her business proposal – a business based on carrying out anti-ageing skin treatments.
After winning, Totton set up Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinic, in partnership with Lord Sugar. The company made £893,911 turnover for the year ended 30 June 2016, with £203,794 profit for the financial year.
Mark Wright
Wright won the tenth series of the Apprentice in 2014. Originally from Australia, Wright claimed never to have seen the show or even know who Lord Sugar was – which may have explained his boardroom gusto.
After winning, Mark went on to found Climb Online, a digital marketing website. The company made £2,696,384 turnover for the year ended 30 June 2016, with £278,465 profit for the financial year.
Susan Ma
Ma appeared in the seventh series of the Apprentice in 2011, and reached the final four, but lost to Tom Pellereau.
After leaving the show, Lord Sugar was still keen to work with her, and together they founded Tropic Skin Care, a beauty brand. Tropic Skin Care made £7,541,351 turnover for the year ended 30 June 2016, with £1,214,412 profit for the financial year.
