The iconic BBC series The Apprentice has captivated audiences since its debut in 2005, with Lord Alan Sugar, now 79, at the helm. Over two decades, he has been assisted by various advisers to select his ideal business partner. In the current twentieth series airing in 2026, Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell MBE provide guidance, recently crowning Karishma Vijay as winner amidst her personal engagement celebrations.
The Original Advisers: Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford
Rewind to the show's inception, and Lord Sugar was flanked by Nick Hewer, 82, and Margaret Mountford. This duo witnessed early victories from contestants like Tim Campbell, Michelle Dewberry, and Simon Ambrose, who secured the coveted £100,000-a-year position with Lord Sugar. Nick served as an aide for the first ten series from 2005 to 2014, while Margaret contributed as an advisor for the initial five series until her departure in 2009. Fans were thrilled to see them return for the BBC finale this Thursday, sparking curiosity about their current endeavors.
Nick Hewer's Post-Apprentice Journey
Nick Hewer exited The Apprentice in 2014, citing that his "stamina is not up to those long weeks." He announced his departure before the 2014 final, expressing a mix of relief and regret, and praised the production and Lord Sugar's talent. He was succeeded by Claude Littner in series 11 of 2015.
During his Apprentice tenure, Nick also hosted Channel 4's Countdown, a role he maintained until Anne Robinson took over in 2021. Today, he works as a motivational speaker, sharing insights from his business, television presenting, and charity experiences.
Nick's charitable involvement is extensive. He became a patron of Pancreatic Cancer Action in 2015, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis. In April 2019, he was appointed president of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, leveraging his media expertise to support causes like Hope and Homes for Children, Street Child Sierra Leone, and Fairtrade.
Post-Apprentice, Nick has appeared on various TV shows, including Celebrity Antiques Road Trip in 2015, The Great British Bake Off: Stand Up To Cancer in 2018, Pilgrimage in 2023, and a celebrity edition of The Weakest Link in 2023.
Margaret Mountford's Academic and Charitable Focus
Margaret Mountford left The Apprentice after series five in 2009 to pursue a PhD in papyrology at University College London. She was replaced by Baroness Karren Brady in series six. Although she stepped away from the boardroom, Margaret returned from 2010 to 2013 to interview contestants, later noting to What's On TV that she was not asked back, humorously remarking, "I suppose I was fired!"
Now, Margaret has fully immersed herself in academia, serving as president of the Steering Committee for the Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies. She chairs the Egypt Exploration Society and the Bright Ideas Trust, and engages with charities such as Action.
Like Nick, Margaret is available as a motivational speaker. Her television appearances after The Apprentice include Countdown from 2012 to 2017, We All Pay Your Benefits in 2013, Groundbreakers: Ulster's Forgotten Radical in 2013, Nick and Margaret: Too many Immigrants? in 2014, Don't Mess with Me in 2014, and Celebrity Antiques Roadtrip in 2015.
Both Nick and Margaret have transitioned from Lord Sugar's boardroom to impactful roles in media, charity, and education, demonstrating their enduring influence beyond The Apprentice.
