The Final: We have a winner

So that’s it for another year. The Apprentice has run it’s course and series 5 was won by Yasmina Siadatan. Congratulations to her and commiserations to runner-up Kate Walsh.

This week’s episode was really good fun. A terrific task and for the first time in the series, I was impressed by what the candidates achieved in a short space of time. Some may say that Kate’s superior presenting style and sales ability should have bagged her the job but whilst it would appear that Jasmine’s chocolates tasted nasty... that’s something that can be fixed. There was a better business premise behind her campaign and in fact her brand and idea were, in my opinion, better. So, Sir Alan, soon to be Lord Sugar, got it right.

This series won’t go down as a vintage for me. I know Sir Alan thinks this lot were the best candidates ever, but I have to say that’s because he’s wrapped up in the excitement of it all. Having said that – I do think the finalists were some of the best that we have seen. The series, though, is ready for a massive revamp if it’s to remain credible as a business programme and as popular in the future. Now it has attracted such a huge audience they will no longer accept the same old challenges and a poor level of candidates. As with every reality show for it to remain at the top of its game, new ideas and twists and turns will be required. Will they do it? I’m not sure but I really hope so as it does inspire youngsters into business and there are real lessons to be learnt.

And of course we say goodbye to headmistress and national treasure Margaret Mountford who has been part of the Nick n’ Margaret double act for the five series. Whilst I understand her decision, it’s a shame because just as the nation loves Sir Alan and Nick, they also love her as a character.

Anyway as we say goodbye to the series of 2009 and to Margaret Mountford… you will be pleased to hear that she’s my guest for the final podcast for this series.

Thanks for reading and downloading and don’t forget you can still catch me every Saturday morning for Breakfast on LBC 97.3 from 7 – 10am and of course for Business Matters every Sunday from 5pm.