Chance to work with Sugar "left open" - Apprentice star
Chris Bates, runner-up in this year’s series of The Apprentice, has told Insider that the prospect of working for Lord Alan Sugar has been “left open”, and the two will discuss potential opportunities “in the new year”. The Nottingham University graduate also said his time at the institution stood him “in great stead” for his appearance on BBC show.
Bates, aged 24, lost out to London-based Stella English in the final of the show.
Talking about the final showdown in Lord Sugar’s boardroom, Bates said:”I was proud of the way I conducted myself. I don’t think anything I could have said in the last few minutes could have changed Lord Sugar’s mind – Stella was a very strong contestant; she established herself as a favourite early on in the process.”
He said that his three years at Nottingham University, during which time he completed a degree in Politics and American Studies, laid the foundations for his move onto The Apprentice.
“I developed a lot of great skills while I lived in Nottingham,” he said. “I met a diverse group of people from different backgrounds, and really broadened my horizons. I definitely matured a lot as a person; it was quite a competitive environment, which stood me in good stead for The Apprentice.”
During his 12 weeks on the TV show, which he describes as “hugely challenging,” Bates said the variety of tests which Lord Sugar developed for the contestants was the best part.
“The whole process opened my eyes to so many different areas of businesses – one week you’d be selling sausages, the next week inventing a new alcoholic brand and presenting to industry experts. It was a total whirlwind but an incredible experience,” he said.
Bates said he only ever had one ambition after winning a place on the show, alongside 15 other hopefuls.
“For me, it was always about the job. That’s why I went on – I thought that the opportunity to work for Lord Sugar would just be amazing.”
Although he remained tight-lipped about the prospect of working with Lord Sugar, he said the two would “have some dialogue” about potential opportunities in the New Year.
The runner-up said he had “no regrets” about appearing on the show.
He said: “It was amazing; I wouldn’t change a thing. I met some great people, and experienced things I would never have been able to otherwise. I’ll definitely be keeping in touch with eight or nine of the other contestants – there wasn’t really anyone I didn’t get along with. Of course it’s competitive, but there was a good bond.”
