London Talent Takes Centre Stage in The Apprentice's Milestone Series
The highly anticipated twentieth series of The Apprentice makes its grand return to BBC screens this evening, Thursday 29th January 2026. This landmark season features a particularly strong London contingent, with exactly half of the twenty ambitious candidates hailing from the capital. They are all competing for the ultimate prize: a £250,000 business investment from the formidable Lord Alan Sugar, alongside his invaluable mentorship.
A Capital Showcase of Entrepreneurial Spirit
The London hopefuls represent a diverse cross-section of the city's vibrant business landscape, each bringing a unique vision and formidable drive to the iconic boardroom. From the creative industries to cutting-edge technology, their backgrounds illustrate the capital's role as a powerhouse of innovation and ambition.
Profiles of the London Contenders
Harry Clough, a financial sales manager from Battersea, is keen to challenge stereotypes associated with his affluent postcode. With a venture centred on a complimentary subscription box for food and drink brands, he describes himself as "bold, creative, and not afraid to take risks", despite acknowledging numerous past failures.
In South London, barber Marcus Donkoh has his sights set on global expansion. Starting by cutting hair in his mother's living room, he now dreams of transforming his barbershop into an international "grooming and lifestyle conglomerate", targeting major cities like New York, Dubai, and Tokyo.
East London's Georgina Newton, an actress and events manager, aims to launch a touring theatrical production company specialising in pantomime, even planning to convert a lorry into a mobile theatre. She brings resilience forged from professional rejection, stating she's "been told 'no' thousands of times".
Dan Miller, a student recruitment business owner now based in Richmond, launched his enterprise from his Derby bedroom at just 17. Having already worked with corporate giants like PwC and Goldman Sachs, he seeks Lord Sugar's expertise to scale his community-focused business after nearly a decade of solo management.
South East London's Carrington Saunders runs a successful online loungewear business, developed while earning a first-class business degree. She positions herself as a "unique candidate" due to her deep integration with social media—a domain she believes is new territory for Lord Sugar's portfolio.
Further Capital Hopefuls
- Kieran McCartney (East London): An estate agent with a decade of experience, aiming to use the investment to launch his own agency.
- Vanessa Tetteh-Squire (Enfield): A tech project manager who also runs a swimwear brand for fuller-busted women, focused on empowerment and challenging conventions.
- Priyesh Bathia (Harrow): A global account manager with a cocktail business he wants to turn into a nationwide supermarket brand.
- Tanmay Hingorani (Islington): An AI product consultant seeking to build a digital loyalty platform for the hospitality sector, drawing parallels between his tech sales background and Lord Sugar's.
- Rothna Akhtar (East London): A student wellbeing adviser running a part-time bakery, aiming to revolutionise the cake and wellness industry with interactive sessions.
The National Competition
They face stiff competition from ten candidates based outside London, including a lettings agency owner from Barnsley, a photobooth entrepreneur from Cork, and a pharmacist from Aberdeen launching a hair loss solution brand. The series promises the usual blend of high-pressure tasks, from designing children's books to organising corporate away days in Egypt, all under the watchful eyes of Lord Sugar and his trusted advisers, Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell.
Over twelve intense episodes, this eclectic mix of entrepreneurs will be whittled down until only one remains to claim Lord Sugar's investment and the chance to build a business empire. With such a strong London presence, the capital's business community will be watching closely to see if one of their own can secure the life-changing prize.
