Sugar changes 'Apprentice' prize for 2011

[dutchman]

Lord Alan Sugar has announced a change to the prize for the 2011 series of The Apprentice.

The seventh run of the BBC reality show will offer budding entrepreneurs a £250,000 investment from Sugar in the business of their choice. Sugar previously offered winners the chance to work for one of his firms.

Whoever triumphs in the boardroom can decide which sort of business they want to run and then Lord Sugar will provide a financial injection and personal expertise in running the new company. Sugar and the winner will be joint owners, with each taking a 50% interest.

"In the past years I was searching for a candidate to employ, now I am looking for a business partner," said the multi-millionaire. "The good news is they won't have to put any money into the new company, I will.

"With an injection of £250,000 of value into this start up company, this is an amazing opportunity for someone who will choose the type of business it will be. I will be looking for a person with some expertise who can demonstrate they have a good understanding of all facets of business, so as to take this venture to another level."

Next year's series will feature 16 contestants competing over 12 weeks, with advisers Nick Hewer and Karren Brady overseeing the applicants during the challenges. Hopefuls can still apply to be on the show at the official BBC Apprentice website.

Series six of the The Apprentice, which was delayed due to the general election, will air in the autumn on BBC One.