“I’m happy with how they are coming across."
Harpreet Kaur has praised the South Asian candidates on The Apprentice 2025 and has tipped one for success.
Amber-Rose Badrudin, Anisa Khan and Dr Jana Denzel have all made their mark in the opening task of the BBC show, with Harpreet impressed by how they’ve handled themselves so far.
Harpreet, who is currently working with Sky Vegas, exclusively told DESIblitz:
“I’m happy with how they are coming across.
“As a South Asian myself – and I know I’ve mentioned labels previously – but having said that, coming from an ethnic minority, it’s important that we get the recognition that our community deserves.
“There’s so many of us that are hardworking and are almost the backbone of some of today’s businesses in the UK – we contribute a lot.
“I’m happy that every single one of the three South Asians has come across well in their own element.
“I’m sure they must be proud – as well as their families must be – to have landed a spot on The Apprentice.”
Harpreet Kaur, who won the show in 2022, also spoke about the challenges South Asian candidates may face but was optimistic about their chances in the competition.
“I’m the type of person that removes the labels in my mind, so I always present myself as Harpreet, regardless of my colour or my ethnicity.
“I break down those limiting beliefs and assume that they’re not there in other people’s minds. However, that’s not how everybody operates and works.
“I know that’s not everyone’s experience, and I know that some South Asians can find it more difficult to be taken seriously.
“I would like to think that they won’t face any additional challenges or obstacles through this process.
“There’s been great diversity on the show for years, and it’s been proven that there can be a South Asian winner.”
When asked who she thinks could go furthest in the competition, Harpreet highlighted Amber-Rose Badrudin as one to watch.
She explained: “All three were great. Well done to Anisa for putting herself forward as project manager when no one else wanted to. She came across well.
“I was really impressed by Dr Jana and his negotiation on the commission – that was good.
“At the moment, I’ve got my eyes on Amber-Rose.
“She has been coming across as a great team player, but you can also see that she’s very independent and confident.”
“She’s not afraid to speak up – in a respectful way – so I’m quite looking forward to seeing how all three of them get on. She will get quite far.”
With an increasing number of South Asian candidates appearing on The Apprentice in recent years, Harpreet believes representation on the show has improved.
“It’s nice to see [an increased representation of South Asian candidates].
“We live in an extremely multicultural society, and I feel there has been a conscious effort to ensure that people do get a fair chance,” she said.
“In line with that, making sure that different communities are being represented from the UK [is important], because it’s such a blended society, and that will continue to grow.
“It would be great to see those candidates get further, but it should be fully based on merit.
“If they deserve that spot, they will get there, regardless of any of the labels that they’ve got on them.”
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