The Apprentice: Meet the new candidates for 2023 series

Virgin Radio

3 Jan 2023, 13:14

Be prepared to have a new TV obsession as The Apprentice is coming back.

Lord Sugar is returning to our screens with a whole new batch of contestants.

Are you excited to hear their business ideas and learn some new catchphrases?

Here are the new contestants taking part.

Meet The Apprentice candidates!

Avi Sharma from London

Occupation: City Banker

Avi is the youngest candidate this year and describes himself as an “optimistic” entrepreneur. If he were to win he says Lord Sugar’s investment will get him out of the banking “rat race”.

Avi says: "I’m a confident chap who can bring a smile to the most miserable face!"

Bradley Johnson from North Yorkshire

Occupation: Director of a construction company.

Bradley is a self-made businessman. Priding himself on his determination and work ethic, he says his can-do attitude and approach to business is “something you’ve got to be proud of.”

After being made redundant in 2019, Bradley turned his fortunes around: "Starting a business from absolutely nothing and taking it to a company that’s turning over six figures demonstrates my determination and strong work ethic. Now, we’re turning over half-a-million, which is something I’m immensely proud of."

Dani Donovan from Hertfordshire

Occupation: Hair salon owner

Dani says she wants to be an inspiration. She started her business as a teenager and is now doing“something she loves” and believes a passion for what you do is the key to success in business.

Dani says she wants to show that "business is something that doesn’t need to be fancy wordsand suits."

She adds: I deserve Lord Sugar’s investment because I have a business that there is a huge gap inthe market for.

Denisha Kaur Bharj from Leicestershire

Occupation: Financial Controller

Denisha says she has reached the peak of her potential thanks to her determination in overcoming professional and personal tests. "I’m not scared of getting out of my comfort zone if it means being successful," she explains.

"I have always known what I wanted in life. I know the dreams I want to achieve."

She insists: "There’s only one Denisha Kaur."

Emma Browne from County Kildaire

Occupation: Senior Account Executive

In her own words, Emma is "disgustingly competitive" so she could be one to watch. She says she "will do anything to succeed".

Her forthright style might see her rubbing other contestants up the wrong way though: "If I have an opinion and I think its valid and logical I will say it how it is; I want to ensure we win tasks."

"I am confident that whether I win the investment from Lord Sugar or not, I am going to make my company one of the most successful ideas to ever come out of The Apprentice. Watch this space."

Gregory Ebbs from Shropshire

Occupation: Owner of an Online Antiques Marketplace

Gregory has certainly had an interesting work background, as he is a local councillor Gregory who owns an online antiques business and used to be a professional cannon-firer.

"My USP is my ability to think outside the box and try out new and different things," he says. "I think I’m leading the way in e-commerce for antiques."

Joseph Phillips from Worcestershire

Occupation: Safari Guide, South Africa

The “James Bond of the business world” with a degree in Zoology, Joseph has made the leap from working as a Safari guide in South Africa, to businessman.

"I studied zoology and animal behaviour and specialised at being a safari guide in South Africa. So, I think with regards to entering The Apprentice, that gives me the edge I need, to be unique enough to succeed in the process."

He says he wants to prove to people that "yes, you can have dyslexia, but you can still succeed in whatever you want to do."

Kevin D’Arcy from Dublin

Occupation: Accountant

Kevin started his water sports equipment business during lockdown, whilst working in his job in the financial services. He is looking to expand his business into the UK and is set on securing Lord Sugar'sinvestment.

Could he be one of the contestants to land a new catchphrase? He admits: "In short, I can be a little outspoken" so says his weakness is "probably not knowing when to shut up."

Mark Moseley from London

Occupation: Owner of a pest control company

Former soldier Mark worked all over the world in remote and hostile environments. He feels this will give him an advantage in handling whatever the boardroom might throw at him.

He thinks his pest control business could be a lucrative industry for Lord Sugar to invest in.

Mark won't hesitate to turn on the charm factor: "My USP is that I’m very talkative with the charm to match – I can sell to anyone. I’ve been around the world and have met hundreds of different people, from members of the royal family to celebrities."

Marnie Swindells from London

Occupation: Court Advocate

Marnie is a proven winner, as she is a gold medal-winning boxer. She says her USP is her "imagination and creativity. I can see opportunity everywhere I look and being able to have that vision is something I think separates me from other people."

"I have given my blood, sweat and tears to my business," she reveals. "I think that taking the experience I have in the boxing industry and all the experience that he has in the business industry, together we would be a winning combination."

Megan Hornby from East London

Occupation: Owner of a Sweet Shop & Café

Megan says she has successfully identified a gap in the market and has been running with it. She prides herself on her honesty, even if it's sometimes hard for other people to hear.

"I think that no matter what situation I am thrown into, I will always give one hundred percent truth, even if it’s hard to hear," she insists.

"I always believe that honesty is the most important thing in business."

Reece Donnelly from Glasgow

Occupation: Owner of a Theatre School

Reece has got his sights set on being the first Scottish candidate to win the investment from Lord Sugar. Another early adopter, Reece set up his own business at the age of just 19-years-old."My USP is that I’m the youngest CEO of a further education college in the UK. I launched my first business at nineteen and from there have gone from strength to strength, turning over six figures within three years and now on track to turning over half a million."

"Despite my age, I have all the experience, drive, and personality to take mysuccess achieved in Scotland to link up with Lord Sugar and scale that up across the rest of the UK," he says proudly.

Rochelle Anthony from Bedfordshire

Occupation: Owner of a Hair Salon & Academy

Rochelle says she is often compared to Kim Kardashian, because she is doing "business with a bit of glam."

She describes herself as "a tenacious, fierce, and determined businesswoman."

Rochelle reckons: "I deserve Lord Sugar’s investment because I know the hair industry like the back of myhand and Lord Sugar knows business. Together, we would be an absolute force to be reckoned with."

Shannon Martin from West Yorkshire

Occupation: Owner of a Bridal Boutique

Shannon hopes to be the first contestant to get Lord Sugar to invest in the lucrative bridal industry.

She says proudly: "I’ve got a million-pound business, that might hopefully be a multimillion-pound business in the coming months!"

Shannon says being based in the UK gives her an advantage: "There are not many other businesses that design, and manufacture wedding dresses made solely in the UK, which is exactly what my business plan is. I think it’s a really good opportunity for him; he’s never been in the bridal business before."

Shazia Hussain from London

Occupation: Technology Recruiter

Shannon is a champion of neurodiverse people in business, and wants to see a varied representation of women within business.

She says: "My USP is my ADHD, which means I can process information faster than others. Thisoften means that my reaction time is quicker, and I look at things differently."

"It’s important to see a varied representation of women, including women with neurodiversity in business, as people with neurodiversity are linked to being increasingly successful within the corporate sector. I hope that I’ll encourage more people like me not to be ashamed of their difference. It’s okay to be different. It can make you extremely successful within business."

Simba Rwambiwa from Birmingham

Occupation: Senior Sales Representative

A self-confessed "perfectionist", Simba isn't one to do things by halves.

He says: "My USP is myself. If people can’t buy into you, they’ll never buy anything from you."

Simba added: "I deserve Lord Sugar’s business investment because I have a business that not onlyguarantees profit, but also guarantees to improve the quality of peoples’ lives."

Sohail Chowdhary from Southampton

Occupation: Owner of a Martial Arts School

Sohail says the other candidates should be "wary" of him.

However it seems he has a soft spot: "I’ll always be the person that looks out for the little guy and sometimes that means that I will put emotions before business."

He adds: "I will make sure that people are looked after, first and foremost, over anything else. I was raised in a council house and I’m proud of that, but that means I’ve had to fight hard to achieve the comfortable life I lead today.

"Owning a martial arts business means Lord Sugar can learn how to kick ass for free." Bonus!

Victoria Goulbourne from Merseyside

Occupation: Owner of an Online Sweet Business

Victoria previously worked as a flight attendant. She started her online sweet business during lockdown and it has become a social media success.

"My customer service skills are unrivalled. I know what consumers want. I’ve travelled all over the world and I’m not afraid to take on a challenge."

She adds: "I’m direct and outspoken, but this is because I’m passionate and know what works."

"During the pandemic I had to change my career suddenly, I identified a gap in the market where there are no pick and mix sweets presented aesthetically. My business took off quickly and with Lord Sugar’s investment I know it could fly."

Watch The Apprentice from Thursday 5th January on BBC One and iPlayer