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Nick Hewer
Nick Hewer is Sir Alan Sugar’s right-hand man on The Apprentice
In the Beginning
Nick’s PR firm was chosen to represent Amstrad in the eighties and soon became responsible for media handling of all Alan Sugar’s business and charitable activities. For over 20 years, Nick played an integral part in Amstrad’s management structure. Nick built up a long and impressive client list. As well as international corporations, he represented the Secretariat of HH the Aga Khan and, for a fascinating period, the wife of the ruler of Dubai, the late Sheikh Maktoum.
The Apprentice
After selling the business, Nick retired early to his house in south west France; but having become firm friends with Sir Alan, he was called back to negotiate with the producers of what was to become a ground-breaking reality TV show. The tables were turned when Sugar persuaded Nick to take an onscreen role and promised to negotiate his fees. “I fought hard against it”, he says, “but he cajoled me in a muscular sort of way. Having Alan negotiate on my behalf with the BBC was fun, after fighting him tooth and nail over my fees for so many years.”
Since then Nick and his fellow aide Margaret Mountford have become surprising stars of the show. Nick’s expressions, borne of wonderfully dry humour and a lifetime’s business experience, tell you exactly what he thinks of the contestants. After setting out the background, Nick’s speech turns into an extended Q&A with the audience. With The Apprentice consistently topping the ratings, there is never any shortage of questions.
