THE Apprentice’s Tom Pellereau has revealed the secret to his 13-year partnership with Lord Sugar – after the BBC star ditched at least eight other winners.
Tom, 45, was the first candidate to secure a £250,000 investment prize from Lord Sugar – rather than a job at one of his companies – when he won in 2011.
It was money well spent, as Tom has gone on to build a multi-million pound business and a hugely successful Stylideas brand.
Last month, Tom launched seven new products and Lord Sugar was there to support him in person.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun Online afterwards, Tom revealed all about his partnership with the 77-year-old business icon, and how it had managed to be one of the few to achieve longevity from the show.
He said: “So we have a board meeting at least every two months for a couple of hours.
“He loves products. I always have to take the latest items along.
“He loves touching them, feeling them, giving them a bit of feedback, and he especially likes the packaging stage and the beginning of the marketing stage.
“When he saw the latest packaging of the different ones, he was like, ‘These are really good. You know, this is really coming together nicely.’
“He does usually get very hands on with the products and trying them out.”
While Lord Sugar was impressed by Tom’s latest efforts, he isn’t afraid to be blunt when required.
He explained: “He has always put a lot of pressure on me to succeed.
He’s been like that kind of headmaster that just gives you a hard time.
“And people sort of say, ‘you know, he does quite like you’. And you’re like, ‘Oh, he’s got a very funny way of showing it’. But we’ve had some ups and some downs.”
Despite this, their partnership has endured much longer than many other winners of The Apprentice.
The Mirror revealed earlier this year – before the latest series – that only two of the last 10 winners were still in business with Lord Sugar.
They are boxing gym owner Marnie Swindells, who won last year, and 2013 winner Dr Leah Totton, who runs cosmetics clinics.
Meanwhile some of those who have ended their working relationship with Lord Sugar include 2022 winner Harpreet Kaur, 2016 winner Alana Spencer and joint 2017 winners Sarah Lynn and James White.
I think there was less synergy
Tom Pellereau
Discussing why he thinks he has bucked the trend, Tom said: “I think it’s really helped me that I do products, and that was his origin.
“You know, he started with car aerials, car stereos, then consumer electronics, so he really likes products and he has a lot to offer me in terms of helping with retailer dealings and with suppliers and that sort of thing.
“I think some of the other businesses, which were a bit different, I think maybe there was less synergy, so to speak.”
THE Apprentice has been a fan favourite ever since it burst onto the box in 2005.
Here we take a look at five of the biggest moments over the years on the hit BBC One show.
Tim Campbell – Former London Underground transport manager Tim Campbell won the first series of the reality show in 2005. He is now one of Lord Sugar’s aides on the show.
Sarah Lynn and James White – For the first and only time in the show’s history, both finalists were crowned winners in 2017.
Amy Anzel – Season 16’s fired candidate Amy Anzel was BANNED from the final celebration show, after a tit-for-tat exchange over Lord Sugar’s mocking tweets.
Michelle Dewberry – Telecoms consultant Michelle Dewberry won the second series of the show in 2006. However, after winning a six-figure job with Lord Sugar she lasted just four months before she sensationally quit.
Selena Waterman-Smith – We’re used to tensions running high in the boardroom, but in 2015 a disagreement between two candidates spilled over – for the first time – into a physical bust-up. Events manager Selina Waterman-Smith was given a verbal warning by show bosses for her role in an off-camera scrap with Charleine Wain.
Tom has also had to juggle growing his business with his personal life, which has changed a lot since he won The Apprentice.
He said: “It’s been hard work. I have had children. So I’ve had two children in that time and I wasn’t even married at the beginning.
“So life has been incredible for those 13 years.”
The Apprentice airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer. The Stylpro range is available here.
