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The Apprentice 2025 candidates revealed - meet the cast

Alan Sugar will be back in the boardroom.

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baroness karren brady, lord alan sugar, tim campbell mbe, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

The Apprentice is soon set to return to screens and the line-up for season 19 has officially been announced.

Alan Sugar will be back in the boardroom overseeing the competition as a new cohort of candidates battle it out in a bid win a £250,000 investment for their business.

Billionaire businessman Sugar will be joined by his trusted advisors Karren Brady and Tim Campbell as they oversee the competition.

Here are the candidates hoping to prove their worth in the boardroom this year...

1

Chisola Chitambala, Essex

chisola, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Chisola is the owner of a virtual assistant company.

Ready for her next challenge, she'll now be heading into the boardroom in the hopes of securing an investment from Lord Sugar himself.

"I consistently give 110% in everything I do and my ability to overcome challenges is unmatched," Chisola said. "No problem is too great for me to find a solution to, and I thrive in high-pressure situations."

2

Dr. Jana Denzel, London

jana, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Jana is a cosmetic dentist who has built a leading Harley Street practice, with clientele ranging from Hollywood A-Listers to Grammy Award winning musicians.

If he wins The Apprentice, Jana will use the investment to scale up his business in a bid to become a "national force in the dental industry".

"Investing in me and my business is a no-brainer," he said.

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3

Jordan Dargan, Dublin

jordan, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Jordan is this season's youngest candidate and hopes to prove that "age is just a number".

Having set up his own 3D animation business at a young age, Jordan's a strong believer that "hard work and persistence can take you far".

"I will out-work, out-smart, and out-perform anyone Lord Sugar puts in front of me," he said.

4

Mia Collins, London

mia, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Competitive bodybuilder and meal prep entrepreneur Mia isn’t one to shy away from a challenge.

Ready to flex her business muscles in the boardroom, she's hoping to secure an investment.

"I believe my business stands out in its industry," Mia said. "It’s about more than just meal prep; it’s about creating a healthier community, saving clients time, and being a brand built on passion."

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5

Aoibheann Walsh, County Donegal

aoibheann, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Aoibheann owns a hair and beauty salon and is now hoping to take a bold new step in the industry.

"I have designed a unique patented utility belt specifically for hairdressers, makeup artists, and costume designers on the go," she revealed. "I have already identified a gap in the market, secured patents, and developed prototypes; what I need now is an investor like Lord Sugar to amplify the reach of my products."

6

Liam Snellin, Essex

liam, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Having worked as an electrician for ten years, Liam spotted a gap in the market for comfortable yet fashionable workwear and set up his own business.

"I love a challenge, and I am so grateful I get to compete for this amazing investment opportunity against some of the best young entrepreneurs and individuals around the country," he said.

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7

Nadia Suliaman, Swansea/London

nadia, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

As the ambitious owner of a premium salon chain, Nadia boasts a clientele list of celebrity regulars.

Now looking for investment in her new luxury product range, she's ready to take on the challenge of The Apprentice.

"I am looking to really push myself into areas I have never been in before," Nadia said. "I have dealt with high-pressure business environments; however, I have never experienced the pressure of being on TV."

8

Amber-Rose Badrudin, London

amber rose, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Amber-Rose is a social media savvy convenience store owner who is eager to launch her own bubble tea shop with the help of Alan Sugar.

She prides herself on being part of a new wave of entrepreneurs harnessing the power of social media to build and promote business.

"Being a part of this process has been a life-long dream and is a wonderful opportunity to show other young girls with similar beginnings that they can also achieve anything they set their hearts on," Amber-Rose said.

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9

Jonny Heaver, Kent/Liverpool

jonny, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Jonny set up his own tutoring company while studying at University and now hopes to expand the business to targeted locations across the country.

"I hope to prove that it is possible to succeed in business while also being compassionate," he explained. "I have learned in my own business that success comes from inspiring those around you to share your goals and beliefs."

10

Kier Shave, Leeds

kier, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Kier is a fast-acting individual having set up his own telemarketing business in just 3-working days, after his previous employer went bust overnight.

He's confident about his business plan, but believes his biggest challenge on The Apprentice will be living with his fellow candidates.

"I have never lived with anyone except myself and my family so it will be a different experience," he revealed.

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11

Emma Street, London

emma s, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

As a coffee and fitness obsessed GenZ corporate project manager, Emma has put together a business plan she hopes can redefine coffee culture for the next generation.

Blending functional health with takeaway coffee, she's eager to utilise a gap in the market.

"With a clear vision and five-year plan to kickstart the business, Lord Sugar and I can disrupt the coffee culture together, one shop at a time," she said.

12

Anisa Khan, London

anisa, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Self-described go-getter Anisa is the owner of a pizza company and adds a personal stamp on the culinary business with her Indian-Italian fusion flavours.

"My unique pizzas, like the Chicken Tikka Masala pizza, have earned outstanding feedback, proving the strong demand for bold and creative flavours," she explained.

If Anisa wins Lord Sugar's investment, she hopes to expand her business, opening new kitchens in high-demand areas.

"I’m driven, ambitious, and determined to carve my own path," she said.

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13

Frederick Afrifa, Milton Keynes

frederick, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Frederick is a former athlete turned motivational speaker who regularly helps professionals and entrepreneurs increase their confidence when speaking under pressure.

He now hopes to secure an investment and expand his communication skills company.

"I don’t just want to make money, I want to do so while changing people’s lives for the better," Frederick said.

14

Dean Franklin, Essex

dean, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Family man Dean set up a thriving air conditioning business during the pandemic. But will he be able to keep his cool in the boardroom?

"I honestly believe me and Lord Sugar are very similar," Dean said. "He is very passionate about science and electronics and that’s pretty much what air conditioning is, this is what he has done in his businesses and it’s what he knows."

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15

Max England, Surrey

max, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Max is no stranger to tough competition as a former tennis player turned senior account manager.

His business plan revolves around padel tennis, a fast-growing racket sport, as he aims to open a series of premium indoor padel centres across the UK.

Max confessed he's eager to compete with other "confident and bold" candidates on The Apprentice.

"I’m looking forward to locking horns with them and seeing who comes out on top," he enthused.

16

Melica Moshiri, West Sussex

melica, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Melica is the owner of an AI tech recruitment company.

"My business is profitable, and costs are minimal," she explained. "With Lord Sugar’s mentorship, we can only go up and multiply the investment in as little as a year.

"Lord Sugar will be making a big mistake if he doesn’t invest in me."

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17

Emma Rothwell, Lancashire

emma r, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Emma set up her own online gift store during the coronavirus lockdown and is now ready to take the business venture to the next level.

"I plan to prove to everyone that you can be successful if you put your mind to it, regardless of what anyone tells you," she said. "I’m a problem solver who never lets anything or anyone stop me for long."

18

Carlo Brancati, Middlesborough

carlo, the apprentice series 19 candidate
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

Carlo has carved himself a career by building people’s self-esteem as a hair transplant consultant.

Having gone through the process twice himself, Carlo's now made it his goal to make finding the best hair transplant clinics as simple and effective as possible.

"With over 30 million views and nearly 30k followers on social media, I’ve built a strong personal brand that resonates with people and industry professionals alike," he said.

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lord alan sugar with the apprentice series 19 candidates
BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

The Apprentice season 19 premieres at 9pm on Thursday, January 30 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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News Editor, Digital Spy
Emma is an experienced entertainment news journalist with NCTJ accreditation and a First-Class Honours Degree in Journalism. Having started her career as a broadcast journalist, Emma’s voice has been heard on varying radio stations across the UK including Absolute, Magic, BBC Three Counties Radio, LBC London News and more.  
Later specialising in multimedia entertainment news, Emma has brushed shoulders with numerous famous faces and interviewed the likes of Edward Norton, Margot Robbie, Sir Michael Palin, Rick Astley, and too many soap stars to count. Having produced a range of engaging news content over the years for brands such as 7Digital’s Entertainment News, Yahoo, and Express Online, Emma eventually joined Digital Spy in 2022 as Deputy News Editor, becoming Acting News Editor in 2023 and then News Editor in 2024.  

While she’s gained lots of praise during celebrity interviews throughout her career, the most memorable compliment Emma’s ever received was when a Game of Thrones star remarked "Your teeth are stunning!". LinkedIn
 

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