The Apprentice Winners: All 19 winners of The Apprentice since Lord Sugar started hiring in 2005

The Apprentice Winners: All 19 winners of The Apprentice since Lord Sugar started hiring in 2005 - up to 2014

Writer-at-large

Published 6th Jan 2023, 12:52 BST

Updated 6th Jan 2025, 11:42 BST

With the 19th season of the BBC business-based reality television programme about to get underway, we look back at the 19 (there were two winners one year) candidates to date who have heard those two sought after words: “you’re hired”.

Inspired by the American original hosted by Donald Trump before he entered politics, The Apprentice first reached British television screens in 2005.

British business magnate Alan Sugar (now Lord Sugar) has helmed the programme since the start, originally offering the winner a job with a six-figure salary. In later series he has investing £250,000 in the successful candidate’s business plan.

It started life on BBC Two but quickly moved to BBC One after pulling in impressive viewing figures.

This year’s series kicks off on Thursday, January 30, with 18 candidates hoping to be the last entrepreneur standing – joining this prestigious roll call of previous Apprentice winners.

17. Marnie Swindells

Marnie Swindells won the 2023 series of The Apprentice. She landed an invesment in her dream of opening a boxing gym in the centre of London. Photo: BBC