Quick Read
- The 20th series of *The Apprentice* has launched, featuring 20 candidates.
- Lord Alan Sugar’s £250,000 investment and mentorship are at stake.
- Tasks for the season will take place in London, Hong Kong, and Egypt.
- The boardroom will move to Hong Kong for the first time ever.
- Baroness Karren Brady CBE and Tim Campbell MBE return as advisors.
LONDON (Azat TV) – The highly anticipated 20th series of *The Apprentice* has officially launched, bringing together 20 ambitious candidates from diverse backgrounds to compete for a life-changing £250,000 investment and mentorship from business magnate Lord Alan Sugar. This landmark season promises unprecedented challenges and international scope, with tasks set to unfold across three continents in London, Hong Kong, and Egypt.
The new series, which began its demanding run, will see Lord Sugar, alongside his seasoned advisors Baroness Karren Brady CBE and Tim Campbell MBE, scrutinize the candidates’ business acumen over 12 intense episodes. The stakes are notably high from the outset, with the competition already underway and early eliminations shaping the field, according to recent reports from *Radio Times*.
New Global Challenges for Lord Sugar’s Investment
To mark its 20th anniversary, *The Apprentice* is pushing geographic boundaries like never before. For the first time in the show’s history, Lord Sugar’s boardroom will relocate to Hong Kong, following a pivotal task in one of the world’s most dynamic trading hubs. Candidates will also face a range of demanding assignments across London and journey to El Gouna on the Red Sea in Egypt for a corporate away day, as confirmed by *BBC Media Centre*. A fan-favourite discount buying task is also slated for the Isle of Wight, challenging the candidates’ negotiation and purchasing skills.
The season’s tasks are designed to rigorously test every facet of entrepreneurship, from branding and sales to strategic negotiation. Viewers can expect to see candidates engage in creative endeavors like developing children’s books, selling products live on television, and managing complex corporate events. The ultimate test will come during the notorious interviews week, where the final five hopefuls will have their business plans dissected by Lord Sugar’s closest associates.
Meet Some of the Aspiring Entrepreneurs
The 20 candidates bring a wide array of business ideas and personal stories to the boardroom. Among them is **Andrea Cooper**, a 46-year-old lettings agency owner from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, who aims to secure investment for a software system designed to manage short-term accommodation. Cooper, a mother of five and grandmother of one, highlights her resilience and proven track record, having earned a first-class honours degree in midwifery at 40 while managing two businesses.
**Carrington Saunders** from South East London is looking to expand her online loungewear fashion business, Cas Collection, into its own app and brand partnership. Saunders emphasizes her strong social media presence and the existing profitability of her two-year-old business, seeking Lord Sugar’s expertise to scale her brand.
From Cork, Ireland, **Conor Galvin** owns a photobooth business, Press Print Paper, which offers a storytelling twist to keepsakes. Galvin, who initially pursued medicine before graduating in law and business, plans to expand his unique concept with hubs in major UK cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham. He believes his creative approach and resilience will appeal to Lord Sugar.
**Dan Miller**, owner of a student recruitment company called Young Professionals in Richmond, London, seeks investment to further develop his business, which connects students with apprenticeship, graduate, and work experience programs. Miller started his company from his bedroom at 17 and now works with major corporations, aiming to scale his services and develop new products with Lord Sugar’s guidance.
**Georgina Newton**, an actress and events manager from East London, proposes a touring theatrical production company specializing in pantomime. Her vision involves converting a large truck into a mobile theatre to make classic fairy tale stories accessible across the UK, bringing magic to diverse communities and private events.
**Karishma Vijay**, a beauty brand owner from Ashford, Surrey, is seeking investment to elevate her skincare business, “Kishkin – the Skincare Miracle,” into a global brand. As the first businesswoman in her family, Vijay aims to create powerful, potent products that simplify beauty routines, driven by a desire to build a legacy and support her family.
The diversity of business proposals and the intensified global setting suggest that Lord Sugar is seeking a partner with not just commercial acumen, but also adaptability and a capacity for innovation on an international scale, reflecting the evolving demands of modern entrepreneurship.