Apprentice Series 3 - Where are they now?
As we approach the new 2008 Apprentice Series, UKpreneur takes a look back at last years entrepreneurs that didn’t get the job:
Ghazal Asif
Ghazal Asif has just been headhunted to overlook new business in the UK for an IT services company. With fingers in many pies, she is now a master practitioner of neuro linguistic programming, has done modelling and will launch a clothing line, www.ghazalscouture.com, very soon.
Tre Azam
Essex-based Tre Azam continues to run his marketing and consultancy company, IDMM. He loves to talk for his living and is involved with charities including the Silverstar Diabetes charity. He’s just become a father for the second time, and writes a guest column for this site.
Gerri has taken up the role as Business Development Manager at Hyder Consulting, a transport consultancy agency. She also has several entrepreneurial projects on the go - including the launch of Igloo; a dome tent structure suitable for client hospitality and exhibitions, and Epor, a patented product for yachts.
Paul Callaghan
After the show, Paul continued in his role as a building surveyor for a large London firm. He’s kept busy studying for an APC qualification and also an MSc one a day a week. He is in the Territorial Army, a skydive display team, and supports charities including the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.
Ifti Chaudhry
After the apprentice, Ifti opened up Eclipse Tiles (named after his team on the show), in Ealing, which has been a success. A second store, in South London, is on the way. He has his own tiling firm and is also an accomplished kitchen and bathroom designer.
Kristina Grimes
After receiving 140 job offers post The Apprentice final, Kristina became Investment Sales Director at Dandara Ltd, Property Developers. She is making her mark in the media, where she’s completed a business show pilot for Ireland’s RTE, and is in talks about a motivational book, as well as a movie about her life story.
Katie Hopkins
Katie joined the Met Office after The Apprentice but was soon back making appearances on TV and across the wider media. This included 2007’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. She’s appeared on TV panel shows, written a newspaper column, and contributed to a programme on working mums for BBC Five Live.
Adam Hosker
Adam Hosker joined The Apprentice with many years in car sales behind him. Receiving many job offers when the series ended, he accepted a position as Sales Director Designate for IT Team Solutions. He also launched a website offering advice on maximising profits on car sales.
Andy Jackson
Andy has been busy offering his motivational words at dinner events and on local radio business bulletins. He’s appeared on poker tours, runs the nutspoker.com North Of Scotland branch, and has just launched a poker training company. He’s also planning a book on consumer rights.
Jadine Johnson
The former banker set up a debt management company after leaving the apprentice but has since moved on. Always one to spot a money-making opportunity, she continues to combine her working life with raising her daughter.
Sophie Kain
Dr. Sophie Kain is running her own internet business entitled www.toastandtrash.com which is a review site for anything from pashminas to local plumbers. She is also launching her second venture www.secondglances.co.uk later in this year, which allows people to find the person they’ve flirted with on a train, or in a club.
Lohit Kalburgi
Lohit is now a management consultant for a telecommunications company leading on multi-million pound projects. He has started his own online boutique men’s fashion company, www.pash-fash.com, and has been involved in various community projects including Make Your Mark, and Barnardos.
Rory Laing
Rory is putting the finishing touches to his London Zeppelin project. He is finalising sponsorship for his venture which provides a month of pleasure flights in a Zeppelin airship above London in July. Tickets go on sale soon. Rory lives in London, and recently applied to join the Territorial Army at Officer level.
Naomi Lay
Since leaving The Apprentice, Naomi has set up her own company, Naomi Lay Consultancy, which offers advice on using the internet for business, advertising, brand building, and more. She continues to work as a motivational speaker, but finds time work with young people mentoring them to follow their ambitions.
Natalie Wood
Natalie made the conscious decision to remain at home with her sons until they are in full-time schooling. She works as a consultant/business developer for Assured Risks Ltd, and appears on BBC Essex and BBC Asia, where she’s done football match reports. She’s been invited to join the Board of The Princes Trust, Essex Region.