The Apprentice winner 2016: Lord Sugar picks Alana Spencer as his new business partner

24-year-old baker Alana Spencer battled novelty designer Courtney Wood for Lord Sugar's £250,000 investment

Jacob Stolworthy
Sunday 18 December 2016 23:09 GMT
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Alana Spencer has been named the winner of this year's series of The Apprentice.

The 24-year-old baker endured 12 tumultuous weeks to beat runner-up Courtney Wood in scoring Lord Sugar's £250,000 investment in her luxury cake business plan.

Speaking about his decision to hire Spencer, Lord Sugar cited the 24-year-old's impressive journey over the course of the series.

"Week 1, Week 2, she looked like she was dead meat. But this is what The Apprentice is about, people pick it up as they go along, which she did. Her determination and her business plan was the best. She’s a very bubbly, intelligent young lady - I know she got a bit intimidated when I spoke to her a few times in the boardroom, but she came through very, very well.”

The final task saw the finalists address industry professionals in City Hall in a bid to turn their business models into big profit brands.

Thursday night's episode saw a triple firing following the renowned interview episode with Grainne McCoy, Jessica Cunningham and Frances Bishop all falling at the final hurdle.

Last year's series saw plumbing business owner Joseph Valente who beat social media entreupeneur Vana Koutsamitis.

The Apprentice isn't the only BBC series to have ended this weekend with the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing crowning its winner last night (17 December).

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