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A bunch of smartly dressed individuals intent on showcasing their entrepreneurial bite with entertainingly outlandish statements; the dramatic sounds of Prokofiev's “Montagues and Capulets” – it can only mean one thing; Lord Sugar’s hunt for a business partner is almost upon us.
Series 12 of BBC business competition The Apprentice
The 18 brave souls who’ll be entering the boardroom in the hope of securing Sugar’s £250,000 investement have been unveiled – scroll through below to get a gauge of what to expect.
Show all 18 1 /18The Apprentice 2016 candidates The Apprentice 2016 candidates Frances Bishop Frances, 25 from Doncaster, is the owner of a children’s clothing boutique and describes herself as talkative with a feisty personality, which she believes is what has got her so far in the business world. She wants to impress Lord Sugar with her strong positive outlook. 'I’m a pocket rocket. I’m quite fiery and live by the rule ‘kill them with kindness’,' she says.
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Karthik Nagesan Karthik, 33 from Northamptonshire, owns an IT consulting company and says his friends would describe him as a born leader who takes charge and blazes a trail. He cites his role model as Alexander the Great because he is a master strategist and a brilliant tactician. He believes he is firm yet polite, making him the ultimate ‘human magnet’. 'If I wanted to be like everyone else, I'd have waxed my monobrow,' he says.
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Dillon St Paul Describing himself as super-creative, Dillon is currently a freelance Art Director at a fashion magazine. The 37-year-old from Dublin, Ireland describes himself as talented, kind and very funny. He intends to be ‘Machiavellian’ about tasks and says he will tell white lies if he needs to. 'Sometimes batting the eyelashes can get you a lot in business,' he says. 'Hence, the mascara comes in handy –so they can see those lashes.'
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Alana Spencer Alana, 24 from Ceredigion in Wales, is the owner of a baking company and describes herself as determined, creative and charming. She started her first business at age 17, a chocolate company, before moving on to selling cakes. She believes she is an adaptable businesswoman who will not shy away from any task Lord Sugar sets. 'I am incredibly hard working, driven, and I'll stop at nothing to get what I want,' she says.
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Trishna Thakrar Trishna, 38 from London, works for a large IT company to provide internal recruitment services. She used to play football semi-professionally, and says her friends would describe her as engaging and funny. She believes her best business skill lies in her charm, but suspects her sensitivity could be her downfall as, if you cross her, she will not hold back. 'My only tactic is to be myself; this alone will make sure I win,' she says.
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Courtney Wood Courtney, 29 from Essex, designs and creates novelty gifts which he supplies to national and international retailers. He describes himself as fun with a positive attitude and he believes his confidence is one of his strongest attributes. He says he is not one to sit back and plans to assert his authority in the process. He thinks his cutthroat tactics will help him reach the top. 'How would I describe myself in one sentence? I'll give you one word: awesome,' he says.
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Grainne McCoy Grainne, 31 from Northern Ireland, owns her own makeup business and works throughout the country on projects from film sets to fashion shows. She says her hunger and passion push her to succeed and she puts maximum effort into everything she does. She is confident that her self-belief and strong-mindedness will see her through the tasks. 'I need guidance and a little bit of mentoring to help me make that first million,' she says.
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Michelle Niziol Michelle, 35 from Oxfordshire, is the founder and owner of three companies in mortgages, property and lettings. She describes herself as straight-talking, passionate and honest but admits that she can sometimes be bossy and impatient. She says letting others take the lead could be challenge for her. 'I work 15 to 17 hours every day. 100 per cent, I'm a workaholic,' she says.
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Samuel Boateng Samuel, 27 from London, is responsible for managing and generating new business for over 700 businesses across London. He regards his ability in developing new and innovative ideas to be his strongest business skill. He says he has excellent public speaking abilities and admits he will be ‘on the charm offensive’, but doesn’t want to seem an easy target. 'My creativity, my passion, my charm, and my likeability all roll into one, creating one perfect guy,' he says.
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Mukai Noiri Mukai, 36 from London, has lived in over six countries across three continents and recently gave up his position as a senior communications manager to focus on his business idea. He believes his charm is one of his strongest qualities, though he is a straight talker which he thinks some people might perceive as being insensitive. 'I feel sorry for Lord Sugar because previous applicants have been weak,' he says.
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Jessica Cunningham Jessica, 29 from Derbyshire, is owner of an online fashion company and the Operations Director for a PR and marketing agency. She believes her positive helpful attitude will propel her through the tasks, and says she wants to get close to the other candidates to find out how they operate, analyse their strengths and weaknesses and attempt to use them to her advantage. 'A motto I live by is: there is no competition if you're already winning,' she says.
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Oliver Nohl-Oser Oliver, 33 from Wiltshire, is the founder and director of a sausage manufacturer which supplies supermarkets both in the UK and internationally. He believes his greatest business skills lie in his marketing ability and his powers of persuasion. When it comes to winning, he regards honesty as the best policy but says he won’t be befriending other candidates as he wants to focus on the prize. 'Sometimes I feel like James Bond when I’m in my suit,' he says.
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Aleksandra King Aleksandra, 38 from London, owns and operates a business consultancy company. She describes herself as altruistic and extremely confident, believes she has a gift for spotting a good business opportunity and can sell to anyone. She cites her mother as an inspiration as she is fluent in seven languages and has an ability to ‘get people’. 'Like the Tasmanian devil in the famous cartoon, I will torpedo my way through to the win,' she says.
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Rebecca Jeffery Rebecca, 31 from Greater Manchester, is the owner of a marketing and design business, working as both the account manager and creative director. She prides herself on being relentless and possessing an infectious enthusiasm but admits that numbers and calculations are a weakness for her. 'People often foolishly mistake my enthusiasm for silliness or positivity for naivety,' she says. 'I’m proof that you can get things done without whinging.'
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates JD O'Brien JD, 37 from London, is the founder and owner of a men’s beachwear company. He believes he can make the best of any situation whilst still being a ‘good bloke’. He says he is going to put in the hard work and aims to make no mistakes along the way. 'I won't suffer fools,' he says. 'I will get upset by other candidates who don't know their arse from their elbow.'
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Sofiane Khelfa Sofiane, 32, from Essex, works in a high-end retail store, negotiating technology sales with high profile clients. He says he has the ability to adapt, deliver and build lasting relations with people in business, but his friends would say that he can sometimes be overzealous. He believes when he gets down to business, his skills and personality will shine through. 'The best survivors in the world are the people who adapt and I'm the best at adapting,' he says. 'I'm like a chameleon. I adapt to anything, anywhere, anytime.'
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Natalie Hughes Natalie, 30, from Glasgow, owns and runs two beauty and clothing businesses. She considers her best quality to be her quick- thinking, but she is also a persuasive talker who insists that nothing embarrasses her. She prides herself on her ability to buy and sell with ease and believes she has the motivation to win. 'I started at a young age, I'm a hustler, I've got the hustler's ambition,' she says.
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The Apprentice 2016 candidates Paul Sullivan Paul, 38, from Chigwell in Essex, is the owner and director of a marketing company specialising in finance, technology, construction and property. He is a self-proclaimed charmer but doesn’t think he needs a ‘USP’ to win; consistency and sincerity will put him ahead. 'I'll play the team when I need to be part of the team, but I'm here to win; I'm not here to make up the numbers,' he says.
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This year’s candidates include Jessica Cunningham – owner of an online fashion company – Essex boy Courtney Wood and IT consulting company owner Karthik Nagesan, who claims if he wanted to be like everyone else, he’d “have waxed [his] monobrow”.
The new series’ first task will test the candidates’ skills in negotiation and selling, with each team attempting to spot the rough diamonds among a stash of antiques and collectibles.
Other tasks to expect throughout the series will see candidates devise an advertising campaign for jeans, manufacture a range of sweets, design virtual reality games and host “late night opening” events at well-known attractions.
Last year’s series was won by Joseph Valente, who beat Vana Koutsomitis to become Lord Sugar’s business partner.
BBC2 fallout show You're Fired will see Rhod Gilbert replace Jack Dee as host.
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