Broker Apprentice: The results

When I first met the five apprentices, I thought 'oh my God!' Is this the best that the broking industry has to offer? I asked myself. How wrong my initial reaction was.

Their skills and capabilities grew enormously over the five tasks. Several of them grew much more than expected, whereas others added to their already strong skill set.

All started nervously but I have no hesitation in say that by the end all had proved they are very competent individuals.

In fact, you'll see it on the video. I genuinely mean it - and I can't stress it enough - all of them could have gone on to become my Broker Apprentice.

Let me give you my thoughts one contestant at a time.

Difficult Decision
If I was making the award for a strong performance in all the tasks - Oliver would have won.

If winning was based on enthusiasm and growing in confidence and presence the quickest - then Holly would be my winner.

If the Broker Apprentice was all about looking and being the most professional, the most qualified as well as being an incredibly capable contestant - then Katie would have walked away the winner.

If I was going to award it to the individual who was the most well rounded, who had the sharpest ideas and a strong moral compass, then Jonathan would have taken the title.

But the person that combined all of these traits and grew stronger and stronger over the series of tasks was the person I chose as Broker Apprentice 2013 - Ashley!

A fantastic and worthy winner.

In the beginning no-one would have recognised Ashley as the winner. Take a look at his first feature.

He bumbled at the start in front of the camera and stumbled over his words, even when talking about Angelina Jolie. But then look at his final interview, he was quick and rightly had an air of confidence.

Although his advertisement was not the whizziest we had, it epitomised everything the industry has to offer young people.

The strap line ‘Climbing Ladders' is remarkable in its usefulness in encouraging young people to join our industry.

His scheme idea was less mainstream. Clearly a great idea to attack the green agenda, but as a proposition it was no way ready for the market place.

Ashley, I think you were a good few years ahead of your time.

Final Thoughts
When deciding who was going to be my Broker Apprentice I had to consider which one of our contestants would find the time they spent with me the most beneficial and give their career an immediate development kick.

From the discussions I had with Ashley throughout Broker Apprentice I thought he would be the most fitting candidate.

I felt desperately sorry for the other apprentices, especially as they all gave so much and after a nervous start exceeded my expectations. But I had to choose a winner.

Congratulations Ashley - I look forward to our week together.