A WINNER of The Apprentice has quit their £300k company – two years after securing Lord Alan Sugar’s investment.
Harpreet Kaur, 33, claimed victory on the BBC show in 2022 with her dessert business Oh So Yum.
Past Apprentice winner Harpreet Kaur has quit her £300k dessert company Oh So Yum[/caption]
Harpreet won The Apprentice two years ago[/caption]
Harpreet announced her decision on social media[/caption]
More than a year after she and Lord Sugar parted ways, Harpreet has now also departed the company.
Taking to Instagram, the businesswoman penned: “After an incredible decade, my journey so far in business has been one that has exceeded anything that I could have ever imagined- but now it is time for something new…
“From starting Oh So Yum back in 2015, to being part of BBC’s The Apprentice, securing investment from Lord Sugar, and then buying the business back, it’s been a whirlwind.
“Along the way, we’ve faced ups and downs, celebrated wins and growth, and created something which I believe is truly special.”
Harpreet continued by explaining her “difficult but exciting” decision to try something new.
However, she assured fans that Oh So Yum would be carrying on in her absence.
With followers soon flooding her comments section, one wrote: “Whatever you do girlie, you will be brilliant.”
Former Apprentice co-star Nick Showering penned: “All the best for the next chapter.”
While a third person remarked: “Wishing you all the luck in the world, you’re an inspiration.”
A particularly poignant comment came from Harpeet’s husband Akshay Thakrar.
They met while competing against each other on The Apprentice in 2022.
The pair tied the knot earlier this year, having gotten engaged last May.
Akshay wrote under Harpreet’s post: “So proud of you!
“You’ve absolutely smashed it and I know what’s next is going to be amazing.
“Can’t wait to see where this new chapter takes you.”
Apprentice winners who have quit
By Conor O’Brien
Since The Apprentice launched in 2005, Lord Alan Sugar has crowned several winners.
In 2011, the prize changed from a job working under Lord Sugar to a £250,000 investment partnership.
While some past winners work with Lord Sugar to this day, other collaborations have long ended.
Here is a look at some of the winners who have quit working with the business giant.
- Tim Campbell: After winning the first series, Tim (who was 26 at the time) secured a position at Lord Sugar’s company Amstrad on a £100,000 salary. After two years, Tim left to start a perfume business – although this was later abandoned. Since 2022, he has been back on The Apprentice as one of Lord Sugar’s aides.
- Lee McQueen: Having won series four in 2008, 30-year-old Lee McQueen was assigned a position at Amscreen. He left the role after two years in July 2010.
- Yasmina Siadatan: Yasmina, who won The Apprentice in 2009, fell pregnant four months into her £100k-a-year role. She worked for Lord Sugar for 12 months but chose not to return after her maternity leave.
- Stella English: 2010 winner Stella English went on to work for Lord Sugar’s Viglen after time on the BBC show. However, she walked out after 13 months of employment when told her contract would not be renewed and claimed she was just an “overpaid lackey”.
- Mark Wright: Australian-born Mark won in 2014 and used the £250,000 investment to found digital marketing agency Climb Online. He parted ways with Lord Sugar in 2022, selling the business for an estimated £10million.
- Joseph Valente: Former plumber Joseph won the BBC show in 2015. However, he and Lord Sugar ultimately ended their working relationship after 18 months.
- Alana Spencer: Alana partnered up with Lord Sugar after winning in 2016. She claimed the top spot with her cake business Ridiculously Rich. The pair worked together for three years – until Alana ultimately bought out Lord Sugar.
- James White: In a one-time situation, James was one of two Apprentice winners in 2017. Three years after he won the show, Lord Sugar left the left the IT recruitment company, but reportedly let him keep the £250,000 investment.
- Sarah Lynn: Sweets delivery businesswoman Sarah was the other joint winner in 2017. She and Lord Sugar parted ways in September 2022.
- Carina Lepore: After winning The Apprentice in 2019, Lord Sugar put a £250,000 investment in Carina Lepore’s Dough Artisan Bakehouse business. However, the pair ended their partnership in 2023.
In November 2022, fellow past winner Mark Wright sold the business he set up with Lord Alan Sugar for an estimated £10million.
After Australian born Mark’s win, the pair founded digital marketing agency Climb Online and grew it to 130 staff.
The Apprentice airs on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.
Harpreet went on to marry co-star Akshay Thakrar (pictured top left)[/caption]
