The latest batch of candidates for the brand new series of The Apprentice have been announced and contestant Reece Donnelly will be flying the flag for Scotland.
The actor and theatre school owner is the first Scottish candidate to take part in the show in eight years and is hoping to make it all the way to becoming Lord Sugar's next business partner with a £250,000 investment.
The 25-year-old founded the Theatre School of Scotland and Theatre College of Scotland in 2017 at the age of 19, with many students going on to land roles with Disney, BBC, CBeebies, CBBC and Netflix.
Speaking about what makes him unique, Reece told the BBC: "My USP is that I’m the youngest CEO of a further education college in the UK. I launched my first business at nineteen and from there have gone from strength to strength, turning over six figures within three years and now on track to turning over half a million.
"Despite my age, I have all the experience, drive, and personality to take my success achieved in Scotland to link up with Lord Sugar and scale that up across the rest of the UK.
He then said Lord Sugar should invest in him because his money will make a 'recipe for success' and wants to prove Scotland is not a 'haggis-eating, kilt-wearing nation'.
He said: "Lord Sugar has never invested in a Scottish candidate and I’m here to prove that Scotland is filled with forward-thinking entrepreneurs and that we are not in fact a haggis-eating, kilt-wearing nation. My proven track record of starting, scaling and ultimately turning businesses into a success, along with Lord Sugar’s knowledge and contacts, is a recipe for success."
However, talking about his weak points, Reece said: "Sometimes I can be guilty of neglecting the grunt work. Admin or accounting tasks aren’t quite for me.
"Ultimately though that means I use my time more effectively, delegating those tasks elsewhere and performing where I’m at my best, as a leader. Plus, it keeps my accountant in a job."
The Apprentice starts on Thursday, January 5, at 9pm on BBC One.
