Whether you’re a keen fan of the BBC series or you’re new to the boardroom, you might be wondering who has won the show in previous years.
The first few series would see winners secure a job at one of Alan Sugar’s businesses but now participants strive for an investment from the businessman.
Here are all the past winners of The Apprentice, including Lord Sugar’s right-hand man, Tim Campbell.
Series 1: Tim Campbell
Businessman Tim Campbell won the first series, winning a £100,000 job working as the project director of the new health and beauty division of Lord Sugar’s business Amstrad.
In 2022, he stepped in for Claude Littner as Lord Sugar’s right-hand man in the boardroom as the businessman was recovering from a serious electric bike accident.
He also replaced Littner for the majority of the 17th series and has continued since. He’ll feature in the new 2025 series.
Series 2: Michelle Dewberry
Michelle Dewberry won the second series of the show, narrowly beating no-nonsense bookies’ favourite Ruth Badger who later bagged her own TV series.
Dewberry was applauded by Lord Sugar for holding down three jobs while she was still at school. Nowadays, she is a consultant and regularly appears as a pundit on TV and is also a presenter on GB News.
In 2017, she announced she was standing for Parliament as an independent candidate in the Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle constituency.
Most successful winners of BBC’s The Apprentice
Series 3: Simon Ambrose
Far-right commentator Katie Hopkins also famously appeared on the show in 2007 during series three which was ultimately won by Simon Ambrose.
The Cambridge graduate is now a property developer.
Series 4: Lee McQueen
Lee McQueen won The Apprentice’s fourth series in 2008 and went on to work for Lord Sugar’s healthcare company Amscreen.
After this, he set up a recruitment and training company called Raw Talent Academy based in Oxfordshire.
Series 5: Yasmina Siadatan
Yasmina Siadatan joined Lord Sugar’s Amscreen Healthcare Company after she was crowned the winner of The Apprentice in 2009.
She was later headhunted by James Caan (Dragons’ Den) to help run his private equity organisation before becoming chief revenue officer at fintech company Dynamic Planner in Reading.
Series 6: Stella English
In 2010, Stella English won series six of the show and lost a claim of constructive dismissal against Lord Sugar in 2013.
She went on to work as a management consultant at computer giant HP before she began hosting Sky’s Crowdbox TV.
Series 7: Tom Pellereau
Tom Pellereau was the first person to win the show in its new format which saw people getting a cash investment for a business and not a job.
His speciality in inventing saw him launch a few successful brands including the Stylfile nail file.
Series 8: Ricky Martin
Series eight of the show saw former pro wrestler Ricky Martin crowned the winner.
The biochemist now part-owns his own science and technology recruitment company, Hyper Recruitment Solutions (HRS) which he set up using the investment from Lord Sugar.
Series 9: Dr Leah Totton
Doctor and qualified cosmetic surgeon Dr Leah Totton opened Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinics after she won the ninth series of The Apprentice in 2013.
The Derry-born entrepreneur is also an advocate for improving standards in the beauty industry.
Series 10: Mark Wright
Mark Wright clinched the first prize in 2014 with his SEO business idea.
In 2022, he sold his business, digital marketing agency Climb Online, he set up with Lord Sugar for a reported £10 million.
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Series 11: Joseph Valente
Joseph Valente won the show’s 11th series and used the prize money to invest in his plumbing company ImpraGas.
He is now the chief executive of Trade Mastermind, a training provider for trades and construction businesses.
Series 12: Alana Spencer
In 2016, Welsh-based cake company owner Alana Spencer secured the investment for her brand Ridiculously Rich.
She later launched her Ambassador & Cakepreneur schemes, helping those who wished to start a cake business.
Series 13: James White and Sarah Lynn
In 2017, for the first time in the show’s history, two people were crowned the winners.
James White, who ran an IT recruitment firm, and Sarah Lynn, who owned a confectionery company, were both given £250,000 by the business tycoon.
Series 14: Sian Gabbidon
In 2018, Sian Gabbidon won the show when Lord Sugar became a co-owner of her pre-existing swimwear and fashion business.
The Leeds-born entrepreneur launched SNME through Instagram while studying at university.
Series 15: Carina Lepore
The series was won by artisan bakery boss Carina Lepore in 2019. She opened a second branch of her Dough Bakehouse business in Beckenham, south London.
The following year, the series was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and in 2022 it returned and was won by Harpreet Kaur.
Series 16: Harpreet Kaur
West Yorkshire-based Kaur owns a dessert parlour and sweet treat delivery service called Oh So Yum! with her older sister Gurvinder.
She has talked about work tips and tricks on the BBC’s Asian Network.
Harpreet is now married to fellow contestant Akshay Thakrar who starred alongside her in the 16th series.
Series 17: Marnie Swindells
The 18th winner of the series was gold medal-winning boxer Marnie Swindells who owns a boxing gym.
She has worked with numerous brands and featured in a wide range of adverts including campaigns for Adidas and Sports Direct.
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Series 18: Rachel Woolford
Fitness studio owner Rachel Woolford is Lord Alan Sugar’s latest business partner after winning last year’s series of The Apprentice.
Woolford, who launched her boutique gym business North Studio during Covid, went head-to-head with fellow finalist Phil Turner to secure Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment and form a partnership with the business mogul.
After she was declared the winner, she said landing the investment was “something beyond my wildest dreams”.
The Apprentice returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Thursday, January 30 at 9pm.
