| NEWS |  | | | | | | | AFC WIMBLEDON | | | | CRYSTAL PALACE NEWS | | | COMPETITIONS | | | | | | ON THIS DAY | | |
|
|
|
You're hired: Clapham entrepreneur wins Apprentice title
 |
| The Apprentice: Simon Ambrose. Pic coutesy of BBC/Talkback |
Clapham internet entrepreneur Simon Ambrose has won the final of BBC One show The Apprentice.
The 27-year-old beat 36-year-old single mum Kristina Grimes for the coveted six figure salary job with Sir Alan Sugar.
The pair made it to the last stage of the show after 31-year-old single mum of two Katie Hopkins controversially stepped out of the race.
In the final episode, Sir Alan asked the finalists to tackle their biggest project yet - to design a new riverside building in central London.
Having bought a £120million riverside building, the businessman said he had plans to flatten it in the future and asked the finalists to come up with conceptual ideas for a new building.
They had four days to work on the project - which had to make money - before presenting plans to 100 hard-nosed property experts.
They were helped by eight contestants from the series who fell by the wayside earlier in the competition.
Simon's building, The Wave, was described by Sir Alan as a building people would either "love or hate".
In the boardroom after the task Sir Alan said Simon was not a natural leader, but he surprised him by coming up with innovative ideas and well thought out presentations.
Sir Alan said: "It is a tough decision. There's only one job. I have got someone who's very experienced and I have got someone who is enthusiastic, a great talker and willing to learn."
He said to Simon: "There's something inside me, some devil inside me that says I wouldn't like to let you go" before telling him he was hired.
Simon, who was desperate to work for the Amstrad founder who he described as his childhood hero, was selected from more than 10,000 hopefuls who applied to join the third series of the show.
The Cambridge graduate, who speaks six languages, was laid off from his last job as an investment banker and has tried his hand at a number of internet business ideas.
He said becoming Sir Alan's apprentice was "a dream come true."
The Apprentice started its 12-week run on BBC One at the end of March and contenders included a quantum physicist, a car salesman, an ex-army officer, three high-flying single mothers, a global brand consultant, a former air traffic controller and a financial adviser.
Weekly challenges included selling British farm produce at a French farmers' market, creating a new brand of trainers and selling art photography at a trendy gallery.
What do you think? Is Simon the right choice for the job? Post your comments below.
9:59pm Wednesday 13th June 2007
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Bob Fossil, Balham on 12:59pm Thu 14 Jun 07
I think Simon is the man for the job. He just has that little something extra. I don't think there was ever any question that he would beat Kristina in the final. The show will have given her exposure and she will get a good job out of it. Simon will benefit from the guidance and nurturing Sir Alan's organisation can give him - surely that's the whole in an apprenticeship?
I think Simon is the man for the job. He just has that little something extra. I don't think there was ever any question that he would beat Kristina in the final. The show will have given her exposure and she will get a good job out of it. Simon will benefit from the guidance and nurturing Sir Alan's organisation can give him - surely that's the whole in an apprenticeship?
Posted by: Georgina, Clapham on 1:31pm Thu 14 Jun 07
I agree and I like the way he dressed too. I wish him good luck. At least he can't go getting pregnant like the last winner.
I agree and I like the way he dressed too. I wish him good luck. At least he can't go getting pregnant like the last winner.
Posted by: Trefusis, Thurso on 6:25pm Thu 14 Jun 07
Now the show is over, will Alan Sugar finally go back to what he does best; releasing non-industry-standar
d PCs that no one buys?
Now the show is over, will Alan Sugar finally go back to what he does best; releasing non-industry-standar
d PCs that no one buys?
Posted by: Alan Sugar, London on 7:04pm Thu 14 Jun 07
I don't like schmoozers, I don't like boozers, I don't like schnausers or houses. What I do like is those Internet phones, they're about the size of a desk, very good, want to buy one? No? You're fired. See what I did there. I used my catchphrase, I'm so funny.
I don't like schmoozers, I don't like boozers, I don't like schnausers or houses. What I do like is those Internet phones, they're about the size of a desk, very good, want to buy one? No? You're fired. See what I did there. I used my catchphrase, I'm so funny.
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
