TV show The Apprentice is giving young people a great appetite for business, Nick Hewer, Sir Alan Sugar’s right-hand man on the programme, told West business leaders last night.
Speaking at the annual Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) West of England dinner, he said whenever he spoke at schools and colleges the students were more interested in the tasks than the contests.
Swindon-born Nick, who also hosts Countdown, shared anecdotes about TV filming at the dinner, staged at Bristol’s Thistle Grand Hotel.
Nick has more than 40 years’ business experience – prior to his TV success he set up, ran and subsequently sold a PR firm in London whose clients included international business brands such as Securicor and, crucially for his future career, Sir Alan’s Amstrad.
Sponsored by West law firm Thrings, which has an office in Bristol, and Lloyds Bank, the ICAEW annual dinner is traditionally one of the high points of the region’s business calendar.
The ICAEW promotes, develops and supports nearly 13,000 chartered accountants working at the heart of West business in the professional services, manufacturing and industry.
