All The Apprentice winners who ditched Lord Sugar after taking his ...
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By Laura Fox For Mailonline
Published: 14:54 GMT, 1 February 2024 | Updated: 15:30 GMT, 1 February 2024
For many budding entrepreneurs, winning The Apprentice can come as the pinnacle of success, with the chance to land a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar.
When the show began in 2005, winners landed a £100,000-per-year job at one of Lord Sugar's companies.
But things turned sour when 2010 winner Stella English attempted to sue Lord Sugar for wrongful dismissal, and the following year the prize was changed to a £250,000 invested from Sugar into the winner's own business.
And while some have continued their relationship with Lord Sugar for many years, others opted for step away from the investment for a variety of reasons.
So, as the new series of The Apprentice kicks off with a new group of business hopefuls, MailOnline takes a look at the winners who have since parted ways with Lord Sugar...
Joseph Valente - Series 11 (2015)
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Joseph Valente was crowned The Apprentice champion in 2015, but two years after landing the investment for his plumbing business, they parted ways
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Joseph was forced to sell his boiler installation business in 2020 for an undisclosed sum following claims it owed almost £2million to creditors
Just two years after landing Lord Sugar's six-figure investment for his plumbing business, Joseph Valente decided to part ways with him.
Joseph announced he would take full control of ImpraGas - but they still ended their partnership on friendly terms.
At the time, Lord Sugar said: 'I'll still be on hand to offer any help and advice required. I wish Joseph and ImpraGas all the very best for the future and will follow their progress with much affection.'
The Apprentice boss divested himself of his interest in the company, and Joseph acquired his shareholding and took full control of the business.
Joseph added: 'I am so grateful for everything Lord Sugar has done for me and I could not have asked for a better partner in the early stages of my business career.
'I owe him a great deal. I am confident that with the winning business model we created together, I can continue to grow the business successfully.'
Joseph was forced to sell his boiler installation business in 2020 for an undisclosed sum following claims it owed almost £2million to creditors.
Shell company VBH Assets, also co-owned by Joseph, then entered into voluntary liquidation, owing £1.9million to creditors.
Joseph has previously detailed his struggles with depression and the public criticism he faced after his business failed.
The star, who became a father in 2021, told The Mirror: 'It hit me very hard, I was very depressed for a couple of months, and one day I woke up and thought, 'There is no way I am going to let this destroy me.
'I had my credibility and my reputation to rebuild.'
Since then, Joseph has started a course on how to support new and existing businesses and how to grow them, and they've gone from strength to strength.
Alana Spencer - Series 12 (2016)
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Alana Spencer landed Lord Sugar's vast investment to support her baking business Ridiculously Rich in 2016. Three years later she bought back his shares
Alana landed Lord Sugar's vast investment to support her baking business Ridiculously Rich.
She previously revealed that her turnover has gone from £100,000 to £450,000 in a year thanks to winning The Apprentice.
Three years after her win, Alana bought back Lord Sugar's shares and she became the sole owner and director of the business in 2019.
She wrote on social media: 'A little while ago I had the amazing opportunity to buy out Lord Sugar from Ridiculously Rich and take full control back of my business,' she explained on social media.
'It was an exciting, crazy, scary few months while the final details were being agreed and sorted, but something I am so grateful for.'
She added: 'Working with Lord Sugar has been an incredible experience and I have learned such a lot in such a short space of time. I am so grateful for his time in Ridiculously Rich by Alana.'
Wishing her luck, Lord Sugar said: 'I will follow Alana's progress with much affection.'
James White and Sarah Lynn - Series 13 (2017)
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
James White and Sarah Lynn were both awarded Lord Sugar's investement in a surprise twist in 2016, with both going onto have varying degrees of success
During The Apprentice's 13th series, Lord Sugar made the surprise decision to award two finalists his investment.
He invested £500,000 that year, with half going to James' IT recruitment firm and the other half into Sarah's confectionary company.
Sarah's personalised confectionary business, Sweets in the City, has gone from strength to strength since Lord Sugar joined as a partner.
The brand is now stocked in Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.
James' business has had a much rockier road, and he was said to have suffered a series of 'unfortunate setbacks' and lost £30,000 in the first six months of his IT recruitment company, 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 investement.
'I wish James all the very best for the future and will follow his progress with interest,' Lord Sugar said in a statement.
THE APPRENTICE 2024: MEET THE CANDIDATES
Amina Khan
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Occupation: Pharmacist and Business Owner
Location: Ilford
Amina has been a qualified pharmacist for over a decade, in which time she has created a successful skincare and supplements business.
Flo Edwards
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Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
Location: London
Flo revealed that she started her own consultancy, making her ready to tackle Lord Sugar.
Foluso Falade
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Occupation: Project Manager
Location: Manchester
Foluso brands herself the 'Mary Poppins of business' and revealed that her aim is to run the first Social Enterprise to win Lord Sugar's investment.
Maura Rath
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Occupation: Owner, Yoga Company
Location: Wexford
Maura is taking the edge as a yoga teacher into her appearance.
Noor Bouziane
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Occupation: Owner, Jewellery Company
Location: Liverpool
Ambitious owner of a premium jewellery company Noor professed that she will generate a wealth of cash for Lord Sugar thanks to the unique nature of her business.
Onyeka Nweze
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Occupation: Chartered Company Secretary
Location: London
Onyeka revealed her plan is to be the first tech business investment made by Lord Sugar in eighteen series.
Rachel Woolford
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Occupation: Boutique Fitness Studio Owner
Location: Leeds
Business-minded from a very young age, Rachel has plenty of experience managing her work independently. As well as her hard work in the office, she also shares her fitness triumphs on social media including running the New York Marathon in 2019.
Raj Chohan
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Occupation: Mortgage Broker
Location: Leamington Spa
Raj admits that while she is a grafter, she is determined to have fun while working - as illustrated on her fun-filled Instagram account. A self-confessed 'dog with a bone' when meeting her targets, she wants to hit a gap in the market and will do whatever it takes for success.
Sam Saadet
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Occupation: Pre and Post Natal Fitness Coach
Location: Essex
Sam revealed her friends call her a real Del Boy for being 'part-wheeler dealer' as well as her eye for a bargain. An online fitness coach with a focus on mums and mums-to-be, she's hoping to prove her business brain to Lord Sugar.
Dr. Asif Munaf
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Occupation: Owner, Wellness Brand
Location: Sheffield
Asif boldly describes himself as 'Beauty, brains, body and business' on his CV. The qualified doctor's business plan focuses on vitamins and supplements.
Jack Davies
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Occupation: Recruitment Director
Location: Bristol
As well as his work as a recruitment director, Jack also acts as a food reviewer, meaning he is ready with diverse knowledge and skills for challenges.
Oliver Medforth
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Occupation: Sales Executive
Location: Yorkshire
Oliver's background in selling at markets has him looking forward to the famous sales tasks. He is often seen plugging his wares on social media - particularly his gin range.
Paul Bowen
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Occupation: Director, Pie Company
Location: Lancashire
One of two pie company experts entering the process, Paul prides his business on big name clients such as Manchester City Football Club.
Dr. Paul Midha
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Occupation: Owner, Dental Group
Location: Leeds
Paul started his practice using every resource he had. Used to extensive learning from studying as a dentist, Paul is set on Lord Sugar's investment and all that he can teach him about the world of business.
Phil Turner
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Occupation: Owner, Pie Company
Location: Bognor Regis
Phil was awarded 'Supreme Pie Champion' in 2020 for his family-owned pie business, which dates back to the 1930s. He's hoping to prove himself to Lord Sugar and start making him some real dough.
Steve Darken
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Occupation: Management Consultant
Location: London
Steve claims that he shares Lord Sugar's sharp mind and sense of humour. Consulting for 'some of the biggest companies in the world', he's ready to take on the boardroom.
Tre Lowe
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Occupation: Music & Wellness Entrepreneur
Location: London
Tre has had his previous tastes of fame, including in the UK garage band named Architechs. His Instagram account is a who's who of the showbiz world, including snaps with Simon Cowell and Emily Ratajkowski.
Virdi Singh Mazaria
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Occupation: Music Producer
Location: Leicester
DJ Virdi wants to introduce Lord Sugar to world he's yet to invest in – music. His life is certainly filled with luxury as he shares frequent snaps on flash holidays and in front of pricey motors.