Raef Bjayou - Entrepreneur before he went onto The Apprentice
I didn’t bother blogging about the posh barrister who had no experience or ‘will’ to be a businessman, I’m talking about Nicholas De Lacy Brown, a 24-year-old trainee barrister living in West London when he entered The Apprentice series 4.
But here is one guy who may be a little outspoken at times and portray a true English gentleman but he has impressed me by building up a company ‘apparently’ worth £2 million. Raef setup import/export company Ifinitate Ltd which imports/exports a wide range of goods from the Far East and the states.
Raef Bjayou was a 27-year-old entrepreneur living in North West London when he entered The Apprentice series 4.
Raef gained a BA in Politics & History at University of Exeter and an MA in Economics at Cambridge.
Raef Bjayou used to be an estate agent and spent one year in property sales in America and the Caribbean, and one year as a volunteer on Ethiopian charity projects.
Raef was captain of his school, and founded the Exeter University debating society.
The Apprentice is not Raef Bjayou’s first TV appearance. He was once in the audience of BBC’s Question Time and asked Michael Heseltine a question.
Raef Bjayou’s hobbies include antiquarian book collecting.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Truth is thus: “Infinitate” is just an empty shell co setup by a dreamer who failed in estate sales.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:27 am
THe Infinitate website is a typical empty shell for a company that does not really do anything.
So stuck up bloke that thinks he is posh with a fake accent and calling himself an entrepeneur says enough I would say.
April 20th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
However,he is such a charming guy. I am always trusting him. Hope him to win the apprentice.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
what is his background? is he really upper class? or is he blagging it? one would appreciate your views O.K. yah!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Class is one of those subjects that really gets people emotional and worked up. Add education and watch the insults fly!
May 7th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
If Raef founded the Exeter University Debating Society, he’s older than he looks.
It was founded in 1906!
Check out their website
http://www.quincunx.uk.net/debsoc/history.php
May 9th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
It’s nice to listen to someone who for a change does not murder the English language, but speaks it beautifully. I would more likely buy something from him, with his gentle and polite ways rather than the hard sell we are so tired of.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Whatever people say, i can not stop admire his ability, business skills and of course his trustworthy mannerisms. Whether he is faking his posh accent or hasn’t founded the Debating Society, i don’t give a damn. For some who is questioning his class level, i will just say, none of you haven’t selected for Apprentice, it rather sounds you are bit envious of him. How about that? Second, remember it is 21st century ,”class” is really the thing in the past. Success and reward should come and must come to an individual who has greater skills no matter what class of family he/she was born. In fact, none of us can choose that. So stop this blatant questions about Raef’s class. I would buy from him anything, again and again just to hear his pleasant yet charming greeting. If i had a company, i would give anything he wants just to have his input in my company’s business. He is the next Apprentice.
May 11th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I believe Raef is a refined gentleman. He is very much aware of things around yet he is in complete control unlike some of the other candidates. I would personally like someone of his personality to be working with me than someone very open about being competitive and ready to screw others. As far as i know Sir Alan has a keen interest in Raef so far.
Alex and Raef will make strong contenders for the apprentice the way i see it.
May 18th, 2008 at 6:53 am
I would like to see Raef win the apperentice this year. He is honest and geniune person. Reaf is brillant team player. He works hard for his team leaders. Claire on the other hand will only pull her weight if she is the project manager. The rest of the candidates make me laugh when they say make me the project manager and i’ll show you what I can do! whether your the project manager or not you should pull your weight and show Sir Alan Sugasr what you can do!!! I was so pleased to see the back of Jenny!
What is Alex still doing there? He is only there because of his good looks, He hasn’t shown any of his skills apart from his sales side!
Raef to WIN!
May 19th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Gentleman?? In one of the unseen apprentice footage Raef declined to give money/tip to a the guide that got him such a good deal on the cow hide that Raef had to ask more then once to make sure he understood what was being said. When the introducer asked for a fee (which would not have been very much) Raef refused saying something along the lines of ‘emotions and business do not go hand in hand.’ Raef used this man and enjoyed the gains that he was introdced to…..Raef is somewhat attractive, eloquent and has an air about him (of what Im not quite sure yet) but he is not a gentleman and he is not fair….there are business etiquettes and unsaid promises no one has time is money for everyone….
May 19th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
! …lol!! I meant no has free time - time is money for everyone….
May 19th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Raef to win!!! He has no quams about working with people from other classes or as i like to call them ‘grafters’ as he is not stuck up posh boy…also he sticks up for women who are being verbelly attacked (sara dhada), He has shown that he is a honest and trustworth person which is a near-impossible and extremely rare to find in someone working in business as you can see all his other fellow competitors lie and cheat day in day out. Raef is great keep it up!
May 20th, 2008 at 10:49 am
i think Raef is a top man, guys got his own style and wot if he comes from a rich or poor background dosen’t make him better or worse. from the candidates he is the most popular and my own fav.. the rest aint got a clue about buisness, they all trying to be this hard man and bitch woman image where as in real buisness they would not last 1 day. all The best Raef
May 21st, 2008 at 10:48 pm
I can’t believe Sir Alan fired Raef
I am lost for words!!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:35 am
What amazes me about the current contenders for The Apprentice title is, if these 12 were the cream of the crop that got through the selection process, how poor must the rejects have been :D. I think it’s the ones with the biggest mouths and ballsiest approach that get through - they surely don’t get through on merit.
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I couldnt beleive it! Raef getting fired was a bigger shock than United winning the penalty shoot out.
Just cant take it in.
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:36 am
i hope we see more of him soon! i absolutely love him!!
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:47 am
Raef is a refined young man; very refershing to listen to and to watch and yes, I would love to have him in my company doing all the public relations and representing my company externally. Well spoken, good mannered and elegant. Too refined to work for Sir Alan!
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:48 am
Raef is a refined young man; very refreshing to listen to and to watch and yes, I would love to have him in my company doing all the public relations and representing my company externally. Well spoken, good mannered and elegant. Too refined to work for Sir Alan!
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:36 pm
The bloke calls himself an entrepeneur. That is enough for me…
May 24th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Raef getting fired, made a total mockery of the program, a bit like the mockery of the voting system you get in the eurovision song contest.
By far the best, most honest candidate in this year’s contest. sugar’s comment, “all hot air” and Hewer’s parting shot, just made me lose interest in the program.
Raef is his own man, with big personality, and ad that honesty “sat it the way it is” and people will become intimidated by him.
May 26th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
I really honestly thought Raef was going to win the whole show/competition! I cannot belive Sir Alan would fire someone who is so very obviously passionate and meticulous about his work/career. What a crazy world we live in…
x
Your the best Raef, and to me your the real ‘winner’
May 26th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Raef is the most genuine person on the apprentice; he did not deserve to lose. I would much rather buy products from him then anyone else there. He has more business sense that the others, the fact he is not so fical like the rest of them shines through.
May 26th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
raef
I am not that educated to praise about you. You are extremely not made for sir alen sugar company you deserve milion times more then that. your honesty your trustyour behavior your extra ordinary skills you are too proffessional. you are abosoulutely faboulous simply the best.you deserve to be the assistant of queen elizbath may i say. you are living legend god bless you many many best wishes for you in future. in last i just want to thanks you because i had learnt alot from you very very very good luck in future
June 1st, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Raef, you are the real winner!
June 12th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Reaf even though you did not win the apprentice, you are still are shining star for, who has lot more to give to the world. Good luck on you career, and your company.
You are truly a gentlemen, a great team-worker, leader etc..very rare to find these days, in this era!
June 12th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Reaf even though you did not win the apprentice, you are still a shining star among all of us. You have a lot more to give to the world. Good luck on you career, and your company.
You are truly a gentlemen, a great team-worker, leader etc..very rare to find these days, in this era!
June 21st, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I thought Raef would make the final 4. He is such a gentleman. I wish him all the best for the future.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I loved when he said “gibberish” !!