Winning Apprentice Anna Ward told 'You're Hired!'

The winner of the £20,000 prize was selected through an ‘Apprentice’ style competition after entrepreneur Stephanie Pettitt called upon people with passion, enthusiasm and marketing savvy to enter her Win Your Own Business competition – which married The Apprentice with Dragons’ Den.

Finding a Bright Star!

After an intensive online application, 32 candidates were whittled down to 6 finalists, who delivered their pitches to the judging panel. The prize franchise went to budding entrepreneur Anna Ward, a second year marketing student from Bournemouth University who defeated five other determined finalists for the life changing opportunity. Her inspiring and well researched pitch astounded judges with her confidence and in-depth understanding of Equation’s values and spirit.

Surprise Second Prize

In addition, a one year work placement was offered as a surprise second prize to Kajal Bakrania after her impressive, infectious and persuasive pitch to the panel. Anna will complete a seven week intensive training course in preparation to launch her Equation franchise which will offer the full range of Equation accounting packages and services.

Employment Boosting

Director of Equation Franchise, Stephanie Pettitt, said she ran the competition to combat the “doom and gloom” of the unemployment crisis and get people thinking about starting their own businesses again. Stephanie said “I am on an absolute mission to encourage people to believe in themselves and start their own businesses from their creative ideas.”

Award Winning Restaurateur Ali Carter

The winning prize was presented by multi award-winning licensee and restaurateur Ali Carter. “Seeing these amazing young people pitch so professionally and confidently in front of a prestigious judging panel and room full of accomplished businessmen and women from all over Dorset was overwhelming” said Ali.

Young Apprentice

Stephanie plans to launch a Dorset wide ‘Young Apprentice’ style competition in the summer aimed at young entrepreneurs who aspire to run their own business for a £1000 cash prize. For more information please contact stephanie@equation-uk.co.uk or phone 01305 769739.

Special Thanks

The Equation Team like to give special thanks to all those who took part, in particular;

The Candidates:  Anna Ward, Kajal Bakrania, Sonia Travaglini, Craig Elliot, Joe Prior and Vicky Pocock.

Special Guest Ali Carter

Judging Panel: Ian Girling WSX Enterprise, Karen Rickman Dorset Chamber, Joanna Davis The Dorset Echo Nick Maybour McDonalds Restaurants Fabrice M'Pollo Business Mania Director of Entrepreneurship, Rhyannan Hurst Bournemouth University and Clive Ozzard Business Link