Who are the Apprentice 2024 interviewers? Meet Mike Soutar, Linda Plant, Claudine Collins and Claude Littner
EVERY year fans of The Apprentice look forward to the interview round on the hit BBC show.
Lord Alan Sugar‘s tough panel of interviewers are brought in to shake things up amongst the candidates.
Who are The Apprentice 2024 interviewers?
Over the last ten weeks Lord Alan Sugar has been whittling down the 18 candidates.
There are now just five hopefuls left in the competition.
They have undergone tasks, boardroom fallouts, and whole lot of drama to get to the dreaded interview round.
The iconic episode airs on April 11, 2024 on BBC One at 9pm.
Claude Littner
Claude Littner is a British business executive best known for his work with Lord Sugar.
After training as an accountant, he developed a career as a turnaround specialist.
It was in this role that he met Lord Sugar, and agreed to chair a number of his companies.
This included him being chairman and chief executive of Amstrad International, Amstrad Spain, and Dancall Telecom.
Claude kicked off his TV career on The Apprentice in 2015 as one of the official interviewers during the CV round of the show, before moving onto the one of Sugar’s aides.
He was a staple on the show until 2022, when he had to take a step back because of health issues.
Claude said in a statement at the time: “Whilst I’m disappointed that I won’t be out and about covering the tasks or in boardroom for this upcoming series, I’ll most definitely be glued to the action from my sofa.”
Instead Tim Campbell was drafted in to replace Claude, who now just takes part in the interview episode.
Speaking about the remaining hopefuls. he told the BBC: “The candidates who reach the interview stage are typically exhausted from having been through the process!
“But they are also excited to have reached this milestone.
“My objective, having spent a considerable period in the week leading up to the interview analysing their plans, is to challenge their business plans.
“Are they realistic, are they achievable, are they sensible, do the numbers add up, does their chosen industry have growth potential, where will they expand, have they considered the competitive landscape?”
Linda Plant
Known for her sharp business skills, Linda Plant is the owner of international interior design company Homerun Services.
She landed The Apprentice gig because she has known Lord Sugar for more than twenty years.
Linda started her business with what she describes as “humble beginnings” on a market stall selling clothes.
She expanded her empire by opening retail shops and importing clothes from Hong Kong.
Speaking about why she continues to appear on The Apprentice, she told the BBC: “Well, I think the simple answer is I really enjoy it.
It’s an immense honour, personally, to be involved in The Apprentice. It’s as simple as that.
Mike Soutar
“If you’re passionate about something, it becomes a source of enjoyment.
“Hopefully, I’m giving some good advice and constructive criticism on how to improve an idea and how to make their business plan work.
“I hope I can do a little bit of good and not always be thought of as ‘the Queen of mean’.”
Mike Soutar
No-nonsense businessman Mike Soutar is the co-founder of Shortlist Media Ltd which owns the titles Stylist and Shortlist among others.
The entrepreneur is also the former editorial director of IPC Media, editor of FHM in the UK and US Maxim.
Mike has been on Lord Sugar’s The Apprentice interview panel since 2011.
Speaking about why he loves doing the show, he told the BBC: “It’s an immense honour, personally, to be involved in The Apprentice. It’s as simple as that.
“And for me, I love the challenge of researching different business sectors.
“You never know what each year is going to throw up in terms of the business sectors that the final five candidates want investment in.”
Claudine Collins
Claudine Collins is Managing Director of the £1BN media agency, MediaCom UK.
The talented businesswoman also works as a mentor for The Prince‘s Trust and Marie Claire.
Claudine has previously revealed that while she “wasn’t naturally the most academic person” at school, she has always worked hard.
She has appeared on The Apprentice since 2013, but had to take the 2023 series off.
Speaking to the BBC about her return to the show, Claudine said: “It’s great to be back!
“Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances I couldn’t do the interviewers episode last year, so it’s fantastic to be back and get the buzz I always get from looking through the candidate’s business plans.”
Who are the final five entrepreneurs?
Season 18 of The Apprentice started off with 18 new candidates, all hoping to win over Lord Sugar.
But now there are just five remaining, with THREE being “fired” following the interview round.
The lucky hopefuls remaining are:
- Flo Edwards, recruitment consultant
- Dr Paul Midha, dental group owner
- Phil Turner, pie company owner
- Rachel Woolford, boutique fitness studio owner
- Tre Lowe, music and wellness entrepreneur
When is The Apprentice 2024 final and how can I watch it?
The eighteenth series of The Apprentice kicked off at the beginning of February 2024, and has been airing every Thursday night.
Each week the candidates are given a task where they must show off their business skills, before finding out who will be “fired” next.
The grand final we see just two candidates vying to win £250K investment into their business.
You can watch the final onn BBC One and iPlayer on April 18, 2024 at 9pm.