The Apprentice: 2013 finalist Clough previews new series

IN the first of a weekly series, 2013 Apprentice finalist Neil Clough talks about taking part of the hit BBC TV show and how it changed his life.
 
Having come so close to being crowned winner of The Apprentice in 2013, the last year has been a blur, as so much has changed for me. I launched my own business with another very launching soon, and have become a regular motivational speaker.
 
The process is unlike anything I have been involved in, but it is honestly one of the best experiences of my life.

The pressure to perform is relentless, but there is nothing like the euphoria of pulling off a big sale, or in my case, breaking the record for most high-ticket sales ever on an individual task.
 
As a platform for future success, there is none better. Lord Sugar’s connections offer candidates enormous opportunities, and he continues to be incredibly supportive of my work.
 
Outside the new business venture, appearing on the show has also opened many doors for me in motivational speaking.

While that may be the idea of a living nightmare for some, I love getting up and interacting with business people, and hopefully giving them some inspiration to take away!

I was fortunate enough to give key note speeches at TBN2014 in Wolverhampton and the South West Expo in Swindon, and I’m really looking forward to speaking at the largest business show in the country at the London Olympia.
 
The Apprentice has been such a huge part of my life for the past year, and I will be watching the upcoming series with great interest.

Being a local lad, it’s great to be able to provide the North West business community with my insight on the show, particularly when things go wrong! I’ve been there myself, and there’s nothing quite like a boardroom with Lord Sugar!

The 10th series of The Apprentice begins on BBC1 on Tuesday and continues this evening at 9pm.