Marnie Swindells is officially hired by Lord Sugar, after being chosen to become the businessman's latest business partner in this year's Apprentice final
Marnie, a court advocate and gold medal-winning boxer from London, went head-to-head with fellow finalist Rochelle Anthony to follow in last year's winner Harpreet Kaur's footsteps, by securing Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment and forming a business partnership with the business mogul.
The 28-year-old runs community-focused boxing gym BRONX and commenting on her win as credits rolled, said: "What an incredible opportunity and moment for a girl like me to get to a place like this and have become Lord Sugar’s business partner. It feels strange to even say that, but I’m not going to stop saying it because I am so happy.”
This year's Apprentice final saw Marnie and Rochelle make their pitch to Lord Sugar and be joined by a host of eliminated candidates from the new series to bring their business strategies to life, as the business head honcho, formerly known as Sir Alan, had his aides Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell cast a keen eye on proceedings, before reporting back.
Giving her opinion, Karen remarked: “Marnie, she has never run a business before, and she’s chosen a business that’s very competitive – can she stand out in this very competitive market?” And clearly fighting Marnie's corner, Tim, the first ever Apprentice winner back in series one, told Lord Sugar: “That being said, for an ambassador for a boxing facility, there is no one better I would think than Marnie and what she stands for.”
Weighing up his options, Lord Sugar told the two finalists: "It’s a tough one, but Marnie, you’re asking me to invest in something which is completely alien to me to be honest and you’ve never run a business before. Rochelle, it’s opening the second one and it really is a difficult decision as to what industry I should be in.
And, then choosing Marnie as the winner and the person he wanted to go into business with, he added: "Two very excellent candidates. But I’ve always been known to be a gambler, I’ve always been known to try new horizons so I’m going to try a new horizon… Marnie, you are going to be my business partner.”
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