simba business plan apprentice

Meet Simba the Birmingham businessman hoping to win The Apprentice 2023

He is one of 18 candidates putting his business skills to the ultimate test

• 14:24, 4 JAN 2023
• Updated 14:29, 4 JAN 2023

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The Apprentice returns to BBC One tomorrow night for its 17th series. Lord Alan Sugar will once again be putting 18 candidates to the test with a series of challenges to prove they could be his next business partner.

They will all be competing to win his staggering quarter-of-a-million pounds investment, with the first episode kiking off at 9pm on Thursday (January 5). One of the candidates is Birmingham born-and-bred Simba Rwambiwa.

The Senior Sales Representative seems very confident in his abilities. Ahead of appearing on the show, he said: "My USP is myself. If people can’t buy into you, they’ll never buy anything from you. My biggest weakness is that I’m a perfectionist, I always want to get things right."

Read more Full list of candidates for The Apprentice 2023

Here's what you need to know about Simba ahead of the first episode.

What is Simba's business plan?

While the full details of Simba's business plan have not yet been revealed, he has hinted that it is something to do with health. He said: " I deserve Lord Sugar’s business investment because I have a business that not only guarantees profit, but also guarantees to improve the quality of peoples’ lives."

Simba also says he is "passionate about healthcare" on his Linkedin account.

Where does Simba work now?

Simba's Linkedin profile says he is currently working as an account executive at Enable, a rebate management platform that drives trusted relationships between B2B trading partners, in Stratford Upon Avon. He joined the company five months ago.

It is not known whether he has left the role to appear on The Apprentice, but the profile says he still works there currently.

Where did Simba go to school?

Simba attending Kingsbury School and Sports College in Erdington where he did his GCSE's. He moved on to The Fairfax School (now The Fairfax Academy) in Sutton Coldfield where he gained A Levels in Business, Law and Psychology.

He furthered his business credentials at Aston Business School, where he achieved a BSc in Business and Management.

What does Simba say about his skills?

On his Linkedin profile, Simbas says he is known for 'going the extra mile'. He adds: "Possess comprehensive knowledge in Sales. Demonstrate high competency in developing and executing sales strategies & programs to help the company achieve its strategic objectives. I possess strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with all levels of an organisation to build relationships and align people management strategies with business goals.

"Passionate and goal-driven with excellent organisational abilities. A dedicated professional who is known for going the extra mile."

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"The Apprentice" Is Back For 2023 – Here Are All The Contestants Competing This Year

"I'm the James Bond of the business world".

BuzzFeed Staff

Oh yesss, it's time for another season of my favourite reality TV show , The Apprentice (British version).

This year marks the seventeenth season of the show, which launched nearly 20 years ago in the UK!

18 candidates will once again embark on the "toughest interview process in Britain" to win a huge 25K investment from Lord Sugar. This series sees the hopefuls do everything from giving tours in Antigua, to selling bao buns on the street!

So, from a former boxing gold medallist to a professional cannon-firer to the " Kim Kardashian of the business world", here are the candidates for The Apprentice season 17:

Avi is the youngest candidate in the series. As an optimistic entrepreneur, he believes that Lord Sugar’s investment will get him out of the rat race of city banking.

Occupation : City Banker

From : London

Words of wisdom : "Some say I’m delusional. I prefer the term optimistic."

Bradley Johnson

Bradley is a self-made businessman. Priding himself on his determination and work ethic, in his own words, his can-do attitude and approach to business is something to be proud of. 

Occupation : Director, Construction Company

From : North Yorkshire

Words of wisdom : "I have a business plan that will see us turn over seven figures after year three and who knows where else that could take us."

Dani Donovan

Dani wants to inspire would-be business owners, and show everyone that having a passion for what you do is the key to success in business. She started her business as a teenager, and is now doing something she "loves for a living".

Occupation : Owner, Hair Salon 

From : Hertfordshire

Words of wisdom : "I think I’m a different kind of business owner, someone who is a lot more relatable to people."

Denisha Kaur Bharj

Denisha’s determination and work ethic have allowed her to reach the peak of her potential, overcoming professional and personal tests.

Occupation : Financial Controller

From : Leicestershire 

Words of wisdom : "I want to build an empire with my first step being business partners with Lord Sugar. I want to be mentored by the best, to be the best."

Emma Browne

Emma is always willing to go the extra mile and show 100% commitment to anything she puts her hand to. Laser focused on making her unique business idea a resounding success, Emma "will do anything to succeed".

Occupation : Senior Account Executive

From : County Kildare 

Words of wisdom : "I am disgustingly competitive. I will go to any lengths to win this investment."

Gregory Ebbs

Local councillor Gregory owns an online antiques business and has previously worked as a professional cannon-firer. 

Occupation : Owner, Online Antiques Marketplace

From : Shropshire

Words of wisdom : "I would say willingness to try different things and being slightly more unusual than most is a massive plus."

Joseph Phillips

Joe calls himself the "James Bond of the business world", and has a degree in Zoology to boot!

Occupation : Safari Guide, South Africa

From : Worcestershire 

Words of wisdom : "If Lord Sugar wants to invest in a business to help save the ocean, one lip balm at a time, then I’m his guy."

Kevin D'Arcy

Kevin started his water sports equipment business during lockdown, whilst working in his job in the financial services. He is looking to expand his business into the UK and is set on securing Lord Sugar's investment.

Occupation : Accountant 

From : Dublin 

Words of wisdom : "I have commercial awareness and the drive and determination to succeed."

Mark Moseley

Mark is a former soldier who has worked all over the world in remote and hostile environments, so thinks he should be more than equipped to handle the boardroom.

Occupation : Owner, Pest Control Company

From : London 

Words of wisdom : "People like confidence, people buy into that. And that’s why people buy into me."

Marnie Swindells

A gold medal-winning boxer and imaginative businesswoman, Marnie is ready to face off against her fellow candidates in the boardroom. 

Occupation : Court Advocate

Words of wisdom : "With my experience in the boxing industry and Lord Sugar’s experience in business, I think that together we would be a winning combination."

Megan Hornby

Megan believes she's found success by identifying a gap in the market and running with it. She's proven that she's a hard worker and an innovator, and with Lord Sugar’s investment, believes her business could be nationally recognised.

Occupation : Owner, Sweet Shop & Café

From : East Yorkshire

Words of wisdom : "I will always give one hundred percent the truth, even if it’s hard to hear."

Reece Donnelly

Set on becoming the first Scottish candidate to secure Lord Sugar’s investment, Reece is the marketing savvy owner of a performing arts school. 

Occupation : Owner, Theatre School

From : Glasgow

Words of wisdom : "I’m going to be turning over a million pounds before I’m thirty."

Rochelle Anthony

Salon owner Rochelle prides herself on her great intuition, and describes herself as a tenacious, fierce, and determined businesswoman.

Occupation : Owner, Hair Salon & Academy

From : Bedfordshire

Words of wisdom : "I’m always being compared to the Kim Kardashian of the business world because I’m doing business with a hint of glam."

Shannon Martin

Shannon is hoping to be the first business partner to bring Lord Sugar into the lucrative bridal industry.

Occupation : Owner, Bridal Boutique

From : West Yorkshire 

Words of wisdom : "Lord Sugar needs to be my next business partner, so I can make him millions."

Shazia Hussain

Shazia champions a varied representation of diverse women in the world of business. She believes her USP is her ADHD, which helps her look at things differently and process information much faster than others.

Occupation : Technology Recruiter

Words of wisdom : "I don’t need any friends in business. I am here to win this."

Simba Rwambiwa

Simba is a self-confessed perfectionist who's more than ready to challenge the status quo of the business world.

Occupation : Senior Sales Representative

From : Birmingham 

Words of wisdom : "If people can’t buy into you, they’ll never buy anything from you."

Sohail Chowdhary

Being raised in a council house means Sohail has had to fight hard to achieve the comfortable life he leads today. As a martial arts Instructor, he thinks the other candidates should stay wary, and also hopes to teach Lord Sugar how to kick ass for free!

Occupation : Owner, Martial Arts School

From : Southampton 

Words of wisdom : "I'm calm and collected, but if they do come at me, I will bite and I will sting, and I will leave my mark."

Victoria Goulbourne

Former flight attendant Victoria started her online sweet business during lockdown, which has since become a social media success.

Occupation : Owner, Online Sweet Business

From : Merseyside 

Words of wisdom : "I know what consumers want. I’ve travelled all over the world and am not afraid to take on a challenge."

The Apprentice returns to UK screens this Thursday at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Will you be watching? Let us know in the comments!

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The Apprentice star Simba Rwambiwa reckons he ‘would have been ripped apart’ in interview stage after being fired in week 10

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The latest star to be fired from The Apprentice 2023 has spoken out on narrowly missing out on a chance to take part in the fiery interview stage of the competition.

During tonight’s episode of the BBC series, Simba Rwambiwa was chosen as the latest candidate to be eliminated from the process by Lord Alan Sugar after his team’s dog food product design went awry .

Even though the product faltered over its protein-lacking recipe – which Megan Hornby was in charge of – and its packaging – which Dani Donovan took the reins of – Simba was on the chopping block, after struggling to have his ideas heard.

While speaking to Metro.co.uk after his elimination, the businessman admitted that while he was ‘gutted’ at the time to be fired in the boardroom, he thinks that he would have been ‘ripped apart’ during the dreaded interview round.

Lord Sugar announced his decision at the time by saying: ‘Simba, if you don’t say anything worth listening to, then are you somebody who could qualify to be my business partner?… They say every dog has its day and sadly, Simba, it’s not your day. It is with regret, you’re fired!’

Recollecting the moment, Simba said: ‘At the time I was absolutely gutted, because you’re so close to being in the final five and you don’t make it. But when I reflect on the whole process of my journey as well, I’m so happy to have got as far as I did. I was the last man standing as well, so that’s another massive win.’

He continued: ‘It’s bittersweet. Had I got through to the final five, I would have been ripped apart and my business would have been ripped apart. So do I want that? I don’t know. But also, I’ve now been fired. My business plan hasn’t been ripped apart. I still remain zen in some way.’

When looking back on his final time in the boardroom, Simba – who runs a home care business in Birmingham called Palmlove Care Services – confessed that he’s still at a loss as to why he was selected as the latest candidate to be fired by Lord Sugar.

‘To be honest with you, I still don’t understand the reasons now,’ he shared.

‘There were a lot of mistakes made in terms of manufacturing the dog food itself, a lot of mistakes were made in terms of the branding as well – things just didn’t really go well.

‘Unfortunately, Lord Sugar decided I wasn’t the person that was going to be his next business partner. It’s one of those things, it is what it is, but overall, I’m super happy to have got as far as I did.’

Simba stressed that on the pet food task, he did try to contribute his own ideas, ‘but they didn’t make it into the final product’.

However, he acknowledged that he would have liked to have been more ‘outspoken’ with his peers on the show, when questioned over whether he had any regrets from his time on the programme.

‘In terms of regrets, I think that perhaps maybe I would have probably liked to be a bit more outspoken, caused a bit more controversy. I think that’s probably the only regret,’ he stated.

‘In terms of everything else, I really enjoyed the experience, learned a lot and made, I think, some lifelong friends.’

He became so close with his Apprentice co-star Denisha Kaur Bharj that she’s now managing his business’s payroll, he revealed.

‘The process has been amazing. Now I’m really focusing on my business Palmlove Care Services. We’re growing as a business. We’re recruiting and we’re expanding,’ Simba said, expressing his excitement over the business expanding to Manchester.

There are now only five people left in the process – Dani, Megan, Marnie Swindells, Rochelle Anthony and Victoria Goulbourne.

Will anyone come out of next week’s interview round unscathed?

Knowing what we know about the intense grilling that always comes with that stage of the competition, we have a feeling that the answer to that question will be a massive ‘no’.

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The Apprentice returns next Thursday at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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Simba Rwambiwa Wiki, Age, Wife, Apprentice, Parents, Family, Bio, Height, Net Worth, Nationality, Ethnicity, Instagram

Table of Contents

Simba Rwambiwa Biography – Simba Rwambiwa Wiki

Simba Rwambiwa (born Samson Simbarashe Rwambiwa) is a Senior Sales Representative and candidate on The Apprentice 2023. The Birmingham entrepreneur is the owner of Palmlove Care Services Ltd, a provider of residential care activities for the elderly and disabled.

Palmlove Care Services is a premium family run home care agency devoted to helping individuals preserve their independence in the comfort of their own home. Born in the heart of Birmingham, the team’s goal is to improve clients’ quality of life by offering sustainable and personalised care solutions.

Rwambiwa started Palmlove Care in honour of his late mother Phillipa Rwambiwa. “I understand the importance of picking the right care support for yourself or a loved one, having supported my own mother for 17 years and I now provide the same excellent quality care she received through Palmlove Care Services.”

Rwambiwa is also an Account Executive at Enable in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, United Kingdom. He had stints as a Business Development Manager at FALCON CARERS LIMITED, Account Executive at CCL Group Ltd, and a Sales Advisor at Authentic Furniture Ltd as well as at MJ Experia Marketing.

Simba Rwambiwa Age

He was born Samson Simbarashe Rwambiwa in December 1995. He is 27 years old as of 2023.

Simba Rwambiwa The Apprentice

Senior Sales Representative Simba Rwambiwa is one of the candidates on Series 17 of The Apprentice competing to win Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment. Simba is more than ready to challenge the status quo of the business world and is a self-confessed “perfectionist”.

What is your USP?

My USP is myself. If people can’t buy into you, they’ll never buy anything from you.

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness is that I’m a perfectionist, I always want to get things right.

Why do you deserve Lord Sugar’s investment?

I deserve Lord Sugar’s business investment because I have a business that not only guarantees profit, but also guarantees to improve the quality of peoples’ lives.

Simba Rwambiwa Nationality

Rwambiwa is of British nationality.

Simba Rwambiwa Ethnicity

Rwambiwa is of African ethnicity. He is of Zimbabwean origin.

Simba Rwambiwa Instagram

Simba Rwambiwa’s Instagram is @simbarwambiwa .

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Meet the BBC Apprentice candidate from Birmingham determined to win £250k investment

A sales rep from Birmingham is hoping to win the £250,000 investment on this year's BBC Apprentice.

Simba Rwambiwa, 27, is one of 18 candidates taking part in the 17th series of the show, with the first episode airing tonight.

Simba and 17 other candidates will be battling it out for the £250,000 investment into their business from Lord Sugar, and Simba is hoping to achieve that dream after being a fan of the show since he was a child.

Speaking to the Express and Star, he said: "I have always wanted to apply for the Apprentice, as I have been a massive fan since I was a child.

"I believe in my business and I want to help people. I want to win the investment to give my business the platform to help as many people as possible."

Simba was born in Zimbabwe but now lives in Birmingham, and he launched a company called Palm Love Care, a domiciliary care company within Birmingham and the West Midlands region.

He said the reason behind going into this field was due to a personal experience of the care industry after a family member required care in their life, and after receiving a great experience, it sparked a passion in him to want to work in the industry.

Simba added: "All I care about is my business. We are CQC regulated, and we are a proper business that puts people's care at the forefront in everything that we do, and that comes from a family member requiring care and seeing them receive a positive impact from their care, I wanted that to be the experience for everyone else too, and that is what I'm hoping to achieve."

On his BBC Apprentice profile, Simba describes himself as, more than ready to challenge the status quo of the business world and is a perfectionist.

He adds: "My USP is myself. If people can’t buy into you, they’ll never buy anything from you.

"My biggest weakness is that I’m a perfectionist, I always want to get things right.

"I deserve Lord Sugar’s business investment because I have a business that not only guarantees profit, but also guarantees to improve the quality of peoples’ lives."

The Apprentice returns tonight on BBC One at 9pm.

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Full list of the 18 latest candidates on The Apprentice 2023

The BBC One series will start on Thursday, January 5

• 13:51, 3 JAN 2023

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The latest candidates hoping to impress Lord Alan Sugar on the new series of The Apprentice have been revealed.

The 18 hopefuls are to battle it out for Lord Sugar's £250,000 business investment.

The Apprentice is set to air from Thursday, January 5, on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Below, BusinessLive has rounded up each of the candidates ahead of the new series.

London-based Sharma is a city banker and the youngest candidate in the series.

He said: "Some say I’m delusional, I prefer the term optimistic. Lord Sugar’s investment will help me escape the rat race of a banking job. I’m the hardest working rat he’ll ever meet."

Bradley Johnson

As a director of a construction company from north Yorkshire, Johnson prides himself on his "drive and determination", having started a profitable business from nothing.

He said: "I have a business plan that will see us turn over seven figures after year three and who knows where else that could take us."

Dani Donovan

Donovan is the owner of a hair salon in Hertfordshire and believes the key to business is "passion".

She said: "My unique selling point is my personality. I bring something unique. I’m a different kind of business owner, which is a lot more relatable to people."

Denisha Kaur Bharj

Bharj, who is a financial controller from Leicestershire, said she is not scared of being out of her comfort zone and has always been a "strong, motivated, hard-working woman".

She added: "I’m a woman who wants to create an empire and have it all, to be able to provide for my family and to be an inspiration to young women."

Emma Browne

Browne, a senior account executive from County Kildare, described herself as a "workaholic" and promised her business idea will be "one of the most successful ideas to ever come out of The Apprentice".

She added: "I am extremely competitive. I won’t let anything get in my way. If I have an opinion and I think it’s going to allow us to win the task, I will be sure to be straightforward with the other candidates."

Gregory Ebbs

Shropshire-based local councillor Ebbs, who owns an online antiques marketplace and previously worked as a professional cannon-firer, said his willingness to try different things is one of his "biggest strengths".

He said: "I think I’ve got a really clear vision of what I want in the future and that is substantiated from having diverse experience in different fields and my willingness to try things that very few people will do."

Joe Phillips

Worcestershire-based Phillips, who studied zoology and became a safari guide in South Africa, said his dyslexia is the "driving force" for him to succeed and prove his capabilities.

He added: "It’s made me fight harder to keep up with everyone else. Then when I finally caught up, it wasn’t enough, I needed to go past them to prove to people that, yes, you can have dyslexia but you can still succeed in whatever you want to do."

Kevin D’Arcy

The accountant from Dublin started his water sports equipment business during lockdown while working in financial services and is looking to Lord Sugar to help him expand into the UK.

He said: "It’s gone from strength to strength in Ireland and is now stocked in some of the country’s biggest stores. With Lord Sugar as my business partner, I know we can ride that wave into the UK and beyond."

Mark Moseley

The London-based pest control company owner is a former soldier and believes his experience navigating hostile environments around the world has equipped him to handle the boardroom.

Moseley said: "I’m very talkative with the charm to match… I can sell to anyone."

Marnie Swindells

The court advocate from London, who is also a gold medal-winning boxer, said she has fought "tooth and nail" to be where she is today.

Speaking of Lord Sugar, she said: "I think that taking the experience I have in the boxing industry and all the experience that he has in the business industry, together we would be a winning combination."

Megan Hornby

The owner of Sweet Shop and Cafe from east Yorkshire said she has found a "gap in the market" with her business idea and believes with investment it could be "nationally recognised".

She added: "I think that no matter what situation I am thrown into, I will always give 100% truth, even if it’s hard to hear. I always believe that honesty is the most important thing in business."

Reece Donnelly

Donnelly, who owns a theatre school in Glasgow, said he is the youngest chief executive of a further education college in the UK and is set on becoming the first Scottish candidate to win the show.

He said: "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."

Rochelle Anthony

Bedfordshire hair salon owner Anthony said she prides herself on being a "tenacious, fierce, and determined businesswoman".

She added: "I deserve Lord Sugar’s investment because I know the hair industry like the back of my hand and Lord Sugar knows business. Together, we would be an absolute force to be reckoned with."

Shannon Martin

West Yorkshire bridal boutique owner Martin is hoping her first business partner will be Lord Sugar.

She said: "I think it’s a really good opportunity for him; he’s never been in the bridal business before."

Shazia Hussain

Technology recruiter Hussain, from London, said her attention deficit hyperactivity disorder means she can process information "faster than others" and her reaction time is "quicker".

She added: "It’s important to see a varied representation of women, including women with neurodiversity in business… I hope that I’ll encourage more people like me not to be ashamed of their difference."

Simba Rwambiwa

The senior sales representative from Birmingham is a self-confessed "perfectionist" who always wants to get things right.

He added: "If people can’t buy into you, they’ll never buy anything from you."

Sohail Chowdhary

Southampton-based martial arts instructor and school owner Chowdhary said he is "proud" to have been raised in a council house but has had to "fight hard" to achieve his success.

He said: "I am calm and collected but if they do come at me? I will bite and I will sting and I will leave my mark."

Victoria Goulbourne

Former flight attendant Goulbourne, from Merseyside, started her online sweet business, which became a social media success, during lockdown.

She said: "I know what consumers want. I’ve travelled all over the world and am not afraid to take on a challenge."

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BBC The Apprentice star tells Northampton students ‘every accomplishment starts with the decision to try’

A candidate from the 2023 series of the BBC’s The Apprentice visited a Northampton school today, where he was invited back by a former teacher.

Simba Rwambiwa, who just missed out on a place in the final five after being fired by Lord Sugar, held a number of talks at Abbeyfield School on Tuesday (March 21).

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From sharing the story of how he made it in the world of business, to inviting students to the stage to test their sales skills, Simba was welcomed into the school with open arms.

Addressing the students, 27-year-old Simba said: “The challenges and failures you face shape you into the person you are today.

“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. Go for it as there is no reason why you can’t be successful.”

Simba, who lives in Birmingham, attended Erdington Academy – where Diane Fisher, who now works at Abbeyfield, taught him business studies.

It was Simba’s studies, athletic childhood, and award win during the Young Enterprise scheme he took part in as a teen that have led him to where he is today.

Though he shared that he wanted to be a chef, police officer and lawyer as he grew up, Simba realised business was for him and is now the co-founder of Palmlove Care Services – the business he put forward to Lord Sugar.

Simba admitted he went through five failed businesses, from clothing to personal training, and says he could not run a successful business today without what he learned from those.

The Apprentice star also opened up about what inspired him to set up his company, which is a premium care home agency devoted to helping individuals have independence in the comfort of their own home.

Simba said: “My late mother is my why. I grew up visiting her in hospitals and care homes, and she always told me to be bold in everything I do.

“I never gave up despite the adversities I faced growing up. Challenges don’t last forever and you should embrace them.”

The three key pieces of advice Simba left the students with was to learn new skills, that your network is your net worth, and to push yourself outside your comfort zone.

“There is no special formula to getting up and trying,” he said. “And this sets you above anyone else.”

Talking to Chronicle & Echo after his first session of the day with Abbeyfield’s year 10 students, Simba said: “I was exactly where they are all those years ago, and it’s nice to try and inspire them to do great things in the future.

“You have to step outside your comfort zone because growth doesn’t happen where you’re comfortable.

“Once the students realise the importance of having confidence in the path they want to take, the future is limitless.”

Simba was pleased to see the pupils interacting, asking questions and stepping up to the front to test their sales skills under pressure.

When asked if his time on The Apprentice was what he expected, Simba said: “It’s a lot harder than you think – add 10 times to what you see on television.

“I had great fun, made lots of friends and learned a lot about myself and business.

“To have that platform is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was so grateful to be chosen.”

Simba was applicant 18,431 for this season of The Apprentice and remains grateful to have been one of the just 18 candidates to take part.

Though the sixth place contestant reveals he was “gutted” to have missed out on reaching the final five and getting a step closer to Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment, he said: “I wish the final two the very best of luck.”

Simba received a lot of support during his visit to Abbeyfield School, with many telling him he should not have been fired at that stage in the competition and they were rooting for him to win.

“The support makes the journey and process a lot nicer and more enjoyable,” said Simba. “It’s been absolutely amazing and very, very overwhelming.

“I’m so grateful people have really backed me.”

He added jokingly: “That’s better than £250,000 anyway.”

Simba has had millionaire CEOs, who he aspires to be like, reach out to him since appearing on the show – which he says is “unbelievable”.

He will continue to put himself out there to expand his business and his own connections.

“My main takeaway from The Apprentice is to believe in yourself,” said Simba. “All the tasks are designed to see how you react and it’s made me more confident in myself.

“I believe in my business even more so than I did before and I’m excited to keep it moving and expanding. Once you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything.”

Though Simba could not reveal anything about The Apprentice that viewers would not already know, he shared the appreciation he has for former contestants and those who put the show together.

Around 60 hours of filming across three days goes into an hour-long episode and Simba said: “You don’t get to see everything as a viewer.”

The 27-year-old has recently become a father, so his priority is to spend as much time with his son as possible – and to savour the small moments.

However, it is also an exciting time for Palmlove Care Services as the business has just opened a second office in Manchester and they are recruiting more employees to join the 15-person team.

”Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” Simba Rwambiwa, Managing Director at Palmlove Care Services

You’re hired! On May 22 nd , ‘The Apprentice’ finalist Simba Rwambiwa came to South & City College Birmingham’s Digbeth campus to inspire our Business students with his life lessons.

Simba is a first-gen immigrant and successful entrepreneur who grew up in Erdington, Birmingham. He wanted to be a lawyer, then an athlete, but quickly turned to business with what he learned from both. Our students found Simba’s practical wisdom invaluable:

• Learning never stops. Failure is an opportunity.
• People will recognise when you work hard and respect that, if you do a good job. You never know who’s watching.
• To get better, surround yourself with people better than you. No one gets there by themselves, even Alan Sugar.

“Life happens to you? No, life happens because of you.”

Our students loved seeing a Birmingham local’s journey to success, with an honest look at the failures that paved the way.

Simba went through 3 failed business – he didn’t realise that with each successive failure he was gaining the new skills for success. Teaching himself payroll, marketing networking, HR… eventually, Simba even used his experience of his mum’s time in a care home to develop a successful Home Care business.

Trying is an opportunity to learn new skills, network and step out of your comfort zone. When Simba applied for The Apprentice, he was in a queue of 18000 for the 18 seats, a queue which just got longer. It happened, and he even got to use his Mandarin on the show to help make a sale.

The questions at the end almost went on as long as the talk… and only a couple were about what Lord Sugar is like in-person! Thank you Simba for showing our students that overcoming self-doubt is key to success, and for giving such a sneak peek at the world of Business.

Got your own idea for a Business? Well, now’s the time to try!  Start a Business course at South & City College Birmingham  and see just how far you can go. Great visitors like Simba are just one of many reasons to study with us.

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The Apprentice 2023: Birmingham hopeful Simba Rwambiwa amongst favourites to win BBC series

SEO and Trends Writer

The first week of the 2023 series of The Apprentice has come and gone, and Birmingham’s Simba Rwambiwa has emerged as an early favourite to win the series. The odds have been compiled by sports betting company OLBG .

Mr Rwambiwa comfortably avoided being the first person fired by Sir Alan Sugar in week one. This unwanted title fell to Emma Brown for her inability to work well in the girl’s team. She had odds of 12/1 to win the show before being evicted.

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Following week one, Mr Rwambiwa is joint third to win the series with OLBG . He has odds of 10/1 level with Megan Hornby. This gives both a 9.1 percent chance of being given the £250,000 investment by Sir Alan Sugar.

The outright favourite to win the show after week one is Teesside’s Brad Johnson. He has odds of 7/1 and a 12.5 percent probability of being crowned winner of The Apprentice 2023.

Listed below are the odds for the top five favourites to win following week one of the 2023 series. Included in the list are the odds for Mr Rwambiwa. As well as the odds, there is also the probability percentage of each candidate winning according to OLGB

Brad Johnson- 7/1- 12.5 percent

Joseph Phillips- 8/1- 11.1 percent

Megan Hornby- 10/1- 9.1 percent

Simba Rwambiwa- 10/1- 9.1 percent

Gregory Ebbs- 12/1 - 7.7 percent

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Lord Sugar axes Simba Rwambiwa on The Apprentice ahead of all female final

The Apprentice has axed its final contestant before the interviews stage, as Simba Rwambiwa departed the BBC show tonight with five women heading into the final

• 22:02, 9 Mar 2023
• Updated 23:53, 9 Mar 2023

Simba Rwambiwa has been axed from The Apprentice - leaving an all female final.

The Senior Sales Representative from Birmingham became the latest casualty of the boardroom tonight, leaving five women to compete to be crowned this year's winner. Dani, Marnie, Megan, Rochelle and Victoria all made it through week ten, where the candidates were tasked with making and branding a new dog food.

The remaining contestants had to create the recipe as well as pitch it to major retailers, but things quickly turned sour as one team struggled with making their recipe whilst the other team's hope to market a premium product fell flat on its face.

After the tense task, which went wrong right from the start, it was revealed that Simba, Megan and Dani would be back in the boardroom, as people criticised their branding and marketing.

Speaking on the show, Lord Sugar told them: "Megan, you sent your branding team out with - you admit - with a confused message. Doesn't that make you completely responsible for the failure of the task?"

Megan defended herself, explaining she wanted there to be interest from the consumer from the sustainable and healthy side, and for the focus not to just be about the insect ingredient.

Lord Sugar then went on to tell Simba he was someone people just ignored, as he added: "Lord Sugar, I completely disagree with that. In terms of what I have to say is very valuable. I put forward a different name and I would have utilised the USP of the insects," as he explained how they came up with the name, which was focused on the protein from the insects.

Dani was questioned on whether this was a good task for her, as she admitted it wasn't her "finest hour". Lord Sugar then asked if any of the last 10 weeks had been her finest hour, where she said she was the right person for him to invest into.

"If you talk so much, you convince yourself. I just want facts," he told her before she added: "Any time I've been in any sort of leadership role, we've won. When Megan had a win as PM, I was the person who sold bao buns until I was blue in the face. When Simba won in Brighton, it was because I was running around like crazy making sure we had all the products."

Giving his verdict, Lord Sugar decided to send Simba home, as Lord Sugar said: "Simba, if you don’t say anything worth listening to, then are you somebody who could qualify to be my business partner?

"They say every dog has its day and sadly, Simba, it’s nor your day. It is with regret, you’re fired!"

*The Apprentice airs Thursdays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

MORE ON Alan Sugar BBC The Apprentice

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New Zimbabwe.com

Simba Rwambiwa: Meet the BBC Apprentice candidate determined to win £250k investment

By The Express & Star

BIRMINGHAM: Simba Rwambiwa, 27, is one of 18 candidates taking part in the 17th series of the show, with the first episode airing tonight.

Simba and 17 other candidates will be battling it out for the £250,000 investment into their business from Lord Sugar, and Simba is hoping to achieve that dream after being a fan of the show since he was a child.

Speaking to the Express and Star, he said: “I have always wanted to apply for the Apprentice, as I have been a massive fan since I was a child.

“I believe in my business and I want to help people. I want to win the investment to give my business the platform to help as many people as possible.”

Simba was born in Zimbabwe but now lives in Birmingham, and he launched a company called Palm Love Care, a domiciliary care company within Birmingham and the West Midlands region.

He said the reason behind going into this field was due to a personal experience of the care industry after a family member required care in their life, and after receiving a great experience, it sparked a passion in him to want to work in the industry.

Simba added: “All I care about is my business. We are CQC regulated, and we are a proper business that puts people’s care at the forefront in everything that we do, and that comes from a family member requiring care and seeing them receive a positive impact from their care, I wanted that to be the experience for everyone else too, and that is what I’m hoping to achieve.”

On his BBC Apprentice profile, Simba describes himself as, more than ready to challenge the status quo of the business world and is a perfectionist.

He adds: “My USP is myself. If people can’t buy into you, they’ll never buy anything from you.

“My biggest weakness is that I’m a perfectionist, I always want to get things right.

“I deserve Lord Sugar’s business investment because I have a business that not only guarantees profit, but also guarantees to improve the quality of peoples’ lives.”

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Find an apprenticeship

Apprentice business administrator.

ALICE (RELIEF OF POVERTY & ADVANCE OF COMMUNITY)LTD

Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4JP

Closes in 29 days (Thursday 3 October)

Posted on 3 September 2024

Requirements

About this company, after this apprenticeship, ask a question.

Alice (Relief of Poverty & Advance of Community) Limited are offering the chance for a candidate to take part in a Business Administration Apprenticeship. Working within the Support Service Team, you will be supporting and engaging with all parts of the organisation.

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

33 hours a week

Friday 4 October

1 Year 6 Months

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

• General Data Entry and Administration  
• Researching funding opportunities 
• Making funding applications 
• Events Planning, including managing a budget  
• Designing and creating marketing material in line with our brand  
• Build on external relationships to maximise support 
• Research untapped resources to keep our pantry stocked 
• Represent Alice at functions and events 
• Ensure compliance with policy and legislation across all areas of the charity 
• Ensure reporting requirements are completed accurately and within agreed timeframes 
• Represent the organisation at community meetings and conferences 

Where you’ll work

Whieldon Road Industrial Estate

Stoke-on-Trent

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

WOODSPEEN TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Equal to A level

• Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
• Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
• Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
• Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
• Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
• Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
• Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

• Business Administrator Level 3 (A Level) Apprenticeship Standard
• Functional Skills in maths and English (if required)
• The training schedule has yet to be agreed upon, further details will be made available at a later date

Desirable qualifications

• English and Maths (grade C/4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Analytical skills
• Team working
• Non judgemental

Other requirements

Please look into travel times before applying

We support vulnerable and disadvantaged families in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-Under-Lyme with practical and emotional support. The charity has been operating for over 12 years supporting local families through various ongoing projects focused on Family Service and Early Years Services. The charity continues to develop its services through a proactive approach ensuring that the needs of all stakeholders are met and exceeded.

https://alicecharity.org/ (opens in new tab)

• Opportunity to progress to full time employment with the company
• Possibility to progress onto further training

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

April Morten

[email protected]

07483178087

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000274531.

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

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