Lord Sugar has picked his latest protégé. Dean Franklin, an Essex air conditioning firm owner, has been crowned the winner of The Apprentice 2025 after a nail-biting finale.
Final Face-Off at Lincoln’s Inn
The grand finale saw Franklin go head-to-head with Anisa Khan, a pizza business owner from London. The two contenders were challenged at The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn in London to launch a brand new identity for their businesses. They had to whip up a killer advertising campaign and pitch their plans to Lord Sugar and top industry experts.
Both finalists recruited teams from eliminated contestants to bolster their final bids.
Lord Sugar’s Tough Call
Lord Sugar admitted it was a close call. He was wary of Anisa’s pizza venture, warning: “Pizza is a crowded market.” She’d face stiff competition to prove she’s got what it takes.
On the other side, Lord Sugar praised Dean’s “honest living” in air conditioning but doubted if it could turn into a massive, scalable business.
In the end, Dean’s resilience and consistent business smarts won the day. He snagged a £250,000 investment and a partnership at Lord Sugar’s Amshold Group.
“Dean, you’re going to be my business partner,” Lord Sugar declared. “Food is a necessity, but what swayed me was your consistency, your resilience—and the belief that we can grow something here.”
Winner’s Reaction: “This Means the World to Me”
Dean was stunned but thrilled by the win.
“I can’t believe I’ve just won The Apprentice,” he said. “This is going to mean the world to me and my family. My kids are going to be over the moon.”
Series Highlights
- Contestants tackled tasks like creating an Easter egg product
- Planning a corporate retreat in Turkey
- Launching a brand new line of pet accessories
Dean’s calm, business-first attitude kept him in the game, even when he faced early boardroom scares.
Now, Dean Franklin joins the elite ranks of The Apprentice winners who have turned TV fame into genuine business success.
