The Apprentice 2023: series winner, contestants, judges and everything we know

The Apprentice 2023 has come to an end after 12 weeks of challenges, drama and firings.

Last season, Harpreet Kaur won an intense competition where she received a £250,000 investment in her dessert parlor, Oh So Yum! Harpreet's business is available in-store in three locations and online, and customers can purchase a variety of bakes and even sign up for a subscription. 

With a life-changing investment up for grabs, we saw plenty of budding businesspeople trying to impress, and the winner was crowned after a gripping finale.

Here's what you need to know about The Apprentice 2023 including the winner, so there are spoilers ahead!

The Apprentice 2023 winner

Marnie Swindells was named as the next business partner, securing herself a £250,000 investment in her boxing gym business. 

In a lengthy social media update, she thanked Lord Sugar and said: "@lordsugar I want to thank you for gracing me with the opportunity that thousands of people would kill for. I understand the magnitude of what it means and its an honour that I will never take lightly, you have my word."

Meanwhile, Rochelle Anthony was runner up with her hair salon and training business, and wrote: "I am RUNNER UP!! Out of the thousands of people who applied, I fought my way to the FINAL 2! So For that I am forever proud! I don’t even know how to put in to words, the journey, I’ve been on for the past year. 

"I’ve met friends for life, learnt incredible skills, and ticked off some real bucket list moments. I may not have got the investment to take @thedollshousemk to the next level. But Its been thriving since the show."

The Apprentice 2023 release date

The Apprentice season 17 began at 9 pm on Thursday, January 5 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with new episodes airing weekly.

The final of The Apprentice 2023 aired on Thursday, March 23. Episodes are now available on demand if you missed any.

The Apprentice 2023 judges

As ever, Lord Alan Sugar returned and he was joined by his two trusted advisors: Baroness Karren Brady, who is the current vice-chairman of West Ham United FC, and Tim Campbell MBE, the first-ever winner of The Apprentice. 

Apprentice legend Claude Littner returned this season following his accident in 2021. A show insider told the PA news agency: "We were really pleased to have Claude back — he is a much-loved part of The Apprentice and Tim (Campbell) was a big hit with viewers last time so to have them both in the new series is a real treat."

The Apprentice 2023 contestants

Read on to find out a little bit about the 18 entrepreneurs who were vying for investment in their business ideas...

Avi Sharma - fired in Week 9

Occupation: City Banker

Lives in: London

Avi says he's a confident and optimistic entrepreneur keen to escape the "rat race" of a city banking job, and says he's "the hardest working rat he'll [Lord Sugar] ever meet"!

Bradley Johnson - fired in Week 9

Occupation: Construction Company Director

Lives in: North Yorkshire

Bradley is a self-made man who started from nothing and has transformed it into a company that's turned over six figures and is proud of his "strong can-do attitude".

Dani Donovan - Fired in Week 11

Occupation: Hair Salon Owner

Lives in: Hertfordshire

Dani is out to inspire other people to launch their own businesses. Describing herself as "a different kind of business owner" and "more relatable", she wants to prove that being passionate about what you do is the true key to success.

Denisha Kaur Bharj - Fired in Week 4

Occupation: Financial Controller

Lives in: Leicestershire

Above everything else, Denisha believes her work ethic has allowed her to go far in life. When asked what her USP is, she said: "I’m a strong, motivated, hard-working woman. I know my worth and what I can achieve, most people don’t know that. I’m not scared of getting out of my comfort zone if it means being successful.

I have always known what I wanted in life. I know the dreams I want to achieve. There’s only one Denisha Kaur."

Emma Browne - Fired in Week 1

Occupation: Senior Account Executive

Lives in: County Kildare

Emma is an "extremely competitive" businessperson who is determined to put in the hours to do whatever she needs to succeed, though she also says her biggest weakness could be that competitive spirit. She said: "I won't let anything get in my way. If I have an opinion and I think it's going to allow us to win the task, I will be sure to be straightforward with the other candidates."

Gregory Ebbs - Fired in Week 3

Occupation: Online Antiques Marketplace Owner

Lives in: Shropshire

Gregory is a local councilor who also owns an antiques business. He's also worked in Malta as a professional cannon-firer, and he says that his willingness to do things that are "unusual" is one of his biggest strengths!

Joe Phillips - Fired in Week 6

Occupation: South African Safari Guide

Lives in: Worcestershire

Joe Phillips has been described as the "James Bond of the business world" and believes his Zoology degree gives him a unique edge in the competition. As for his business idea, he said: "If Lord Sugar wants to invest in a business to help save the ocean, one lip balm at a time, then I'm his guy."

Kevin D'Arcy - Fired in Week 2

Occupation: Accountant

Lives in: Dublin

Kevin launched a water sports equipment business during lockdown alongside his financial services career. His sports gear is now stocked in some of Ireland's biggest stores, and he thinks his business will make a splash if he can expand into new territories. In his own words, he said: "With Lord Sugar as my business partner, I know we can ride that wave into the UK and beyond."

Mark Moseley - Fired in Week 8

Occupation: Pest Control Company Owner

Lives in: London

As a former soldier, the boardroom isn't intimidating to Mark. He has total faith in his own business, and says his business has the most potential. "Out of all the candidates on paper, I am the one who can grow the business the quickest. If Lord Sugar doesn't pick me, then he's missing a trick."

Marnie Swindells - Series Winner

Occupation: Court Advocate

Lives in: London

Marnie is a gold medal-winning boxer who's ready to put up a fight to make her business work. Although she says she can comes across as "headstrong", she's relying on her passion and eagerness to succeed to make herself and her business a success.

Megan Hornby - Fired in Week 11

Occupation: Sweet Shop & Cafe Owner

Lives in: East Yorkshire

Megan says her unique selling point is her honesty and believes she "always give[s] one hundred percent truth, even if it's hard to hear", calling honesty "the most important thing in business". 

Reece Donnelly - Withdrew in Week 6

Occupation: Theatre School Owner

Lives in: Glasgow

Reece is determined to be the first Scottish candidate to land a deal with Lord Sugar. In his own words: "I'm here to prove that Scotland is filled with forward-thinking entrepreneurs and that we are not in fact a haggis-eating, kilt-wearing nation" whilst securing investment to enable him to expand his business beyond the border.

Rochelle Anthony - Second Place

Occupation: Hair Salon & Academy Owner

Lives in: Bedfordshire

Rochelle prides herself on her business intuition and says "I'm always being compared to the Kim Kardashian of the business world because I'm doing business with a hint of glam." 

Shannon Martin - Withdrew in Week 2

Occupation: Bridal Boutique Owner

Lives in: West Yorkshire

Shannon says she hopes her million-pound business will soon be turning into a multi-million-pound business in the coming months and is determined to be the first business partner to bring Lord Sugar into the bridal industry. 

Shazia Hussain - Fired in Week 5

Occupation: Technology Recruiter

Lives in: London

Shazia has made it clear she's got one goal in mind: "I don't need any friends in business. I am here to win this", she said, but she will be hoping to form a working relationship with Lord Sugar as she aims to encourage more neurodiverse people like herself (she has ADHD) to try and enter the business marketplace.

Simba Rwambiwa - Fired in Week 10

Occupation: Senior Sales Rep

Lives in: Birmingham

As a self-described perfectionist, Simba always wants to get things done properly, and has full faith in his skills as a salesperson. Asked what his USP was, Simba said: "My USP is myself. If people can't buy into you, they'll never buy anything from you."

Sohail Chowdhary - Fired in Week 7

Occupation: Martial Arts School Owner

Lives in: Southampton

Sohail is perfectly happy to admit that he's had to fight hard to lead the comfortable life that he has achieved so far and says he wants to keep the other candidates "wary", adding "I am calm and collected, but if they do come at me? I will bite and I will sting, and I will leave my mark."

Victoria Goulbourne - Fired in Week 11

Occupation: Online Sweet Business Owner

Lives in: Merseyside

Flight attendant-turned-business owner Victoria started her sweet business during the lockdown, and it's since taken off on social media. She thinks her background has given her "unrivalled" customer service skills, adding: "My business took off quickly and with Lord Sugar's investment I know it could fly."

Is there a trailer?

There sure is! This year, it looks like the contestants will be jetting off on a trip to Antigua, but it's no holiday and they'll still need to impress Lord Sugar and his advisors if they're in with a chance to secure that investment.

Take a look below...