Sir Alan Sugar visits 'real' apprentices in Birmingham

Mar 19 2009 by Roz Laws

Five of the 15 would-be apprentices are Midlanders, including Anita Shah, from Birmingham. The 35-year-old qualified lawyer describes herself as a Business Strategist and a “humanitarian with a Bridget Jones alter-ego”.

Her ambitions include writing a chick-lit novel and launching a new business providing “emotional, psychological and spiritual therapy”.

Anita thinks underhand tactics in business are just not cricket – she’s a fan of the game – and believes you can be more successful by being nice to people rather than ruthless or devious.

She says: “People want to chat with me.

“My CV is strong. I am articulate. I can deal with questions and make impactful statements. Many lawyers can’t.”

Anita has already come in for criticism from fans of the show who have decided she doesn’t have what it takes.

One wrote on the Apprentice website forum: “Sounds like a bit of a softie – the hardened meanies will have her crying on the first task for not pulling her weight.”