Trying to track down Bill Cullen and his partner Jackie Lavin ahead of the new season of 'The Apprentice' is no easy feat; when I call the power couple they are indulging in some well deserved rest and relaxation in a hideaway in Italy.
They are, however, more than happy to talk about the highly success franchise of the show that made media stars of Sir Alan Sugar and Donald Trump. Once again, as well as being a showcase for some of the most ambitious people in the country, 'The Apprentice' is serving as a platform for the rags-to-Renault entrepreneur’s trenchant views on business. Bill and Jackie talk about what it takes to make it through the most exhaustive job interview in Ireland.
The Apprentice has been a huge success; are you proud of what it’s achieved?
Bill: We’re certainly proud of it! It’s got two IFTAs and hopefully with this year’s show we’ll be in the running for a third one. A lot of people tell us that the show is riveting and addictive but for us we’re just doing a job. From our point of view, it’s terrific to hire someone who’s gone through 12 very difficult tasks that expose their weaknesses as well as strengths – you just don’t get that from a normal interview.
Do you feel you have put your own stamp on a show that was associated with Sir Alan Sugar and Donald Trump?
Bill: I think I’m totally different to both of them, while Sir Alan is grumpy, I find I get more into the meat of things, the slicing and dicing. More importantly, I think Jackie and Brian play much bigger roles than his pair do, especially in the new show; Jackie really goes to war on the contestants.
You, Jackie and Brian have proven to be a great combination. Were you always certain it would work?
Bill: We knew it would. Brian had worked with me for four years as one of my original apprentices so I knew his strengths and what he could do for the show. And Jackie, well what can I say? Jackie is Jackie and I think she’s a very special lady. We all work well together, we can kind of anticipate what’s going to happen, except for when it comes to the boardroom and I have to make my final decision. At the end of the day, I’m the man who’s going to pay this person’s wage and has to work with them for a year, so I’m going to get what I want. I mean we had Breffny last year, a popular man in the country and a lovely guy, but he just can’t cut the mustard!
Last year, the show had an array of interesting characters. Is it the same this year?
Bill: We’ve four or five great characters this year – there’s definitely some strong people, some who have a lot of ability but can’t get it across and some who are totally spoofing. I’m really pleased with the people we have – I think it’s going to be the best series ever.
Would you consider doing a Junior Apprentice?
Bill: Yes, that’s something that we’ll definitely be looking at doing next year. Children these days aren’t going out there and getting the practical experience. As I keep saying to them – just go out there and get a job, even if it doesn’t pay. Back in the ’50s, if you wanted a job you would have to pay them to hire you. Kids nowadays don’t know tough times.
At the end of each series you get a new employee, but apart from The Apprentice, are you still hiring people in your company?
Bill: We let a lot of people go in the collapse of the motor industry back in 2008, when it brought the whole business down to an unsustainable level. But this year we have started recruiting again, we’ve taken on about half a dozen people, the scrappage scheme has worked really well for Renault and we’re looking forward to another good year next year.
Jackie, since you’re out in the trenches with the contestants during their tasks, do you feel you can spot the winner early on in the process?
Jackie: I’m out there all the time with them, from when they get the task until they come into the boardroom, but I certainly can’t pick the outright winner from the beginning, but I could probably pick maybe the top four or five. Sometimes people can really surprise you and with others, they can have the most amazing CV but three episodes in you’re checking the CV to make sure it’s the right person.
You are going to be more involved in the show this year...?
Jackie: I suppose I am a bit more vocal but it really depends on what the viewers get to see after it’s been edited. But Brian and I are quite restricted with how much we can say, especially in the boardroom – there just isn’t the time.
Is it easy to pick out the fame-seekers from those who are genuine?
Jackie: I think that’s very much weeded out in the early interviewing process with the producers of the show. Theses people are recruited by professionals and I really don’t think many of the fame-seekers get through. It’s fair enough if they get a bit of fame out of it at the end, like Breffny did, but I don’t think he even set out to do that – like a lot of things he does, it was accidental!
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Are you feeling the pressure to make this year as good as last year’s show?
I think this year, Bill, Jackie and myself put a lot more into it and I know for certain that behind the scenes people are very excited about the series. Bill has absolutely exploded this year – he’s a mixture of Spartacus and Vincent Brown!
You worked for Bill early on in your career – what was that like?
Every Monday morning when we would have our management meeting, he would tear us apart – I would work all day Sunday to get the Monday morning meeting right. But the great thing about him – and he does it at the end of every boardroom scene – is that he gives constructive advice. But for me as a person and a businessman, working for Bill turned me inside-out, in a very good way.
Can you tell us anything about this year’s contestants?
We have one girl who is extremely outspoken, who basically says exactly what she feels but not out of badness. We definitely have a Breffny this year, Panagiotis Zambetakis from Greece, who’s a really lovely guy and pure TV gold. This crowd are a lot more ruthless in the boardroom.
Dave Cashman (26) from Douglas, Cork
Profession: National Events Manager
Dave Cashman is currently the National Event Operations Manager for Blackstone Security, Risk Management and Consulting. Dave would describe himself as confident, professional, happy and loyal.
David O’Byrne (27) from Dublin
Profession: Marketing Professional
David O’Byrne is currently living in Galway, but is originally from Dublin. He studied in Trinity before moving to New York for six years. David is a marketing professional with international experience in public relations, advertising, event management and strategic business collaborations.
Jamie Moran (29) from Carlow
Profession: Businessman/Contractor
After studying in NUI Galway, Jamie started his career in investment banking, before taking the plunge into self-employed property development in 2006.
Kieran Walsh (28) from Cork
Profession: Commercial Director
Kieran has recently taken over a section of a family business. The company itself has a few divisions, but they are all engineering related. Kieran runs the company development of e-commerce, training and purchasing.
Michelle Massey (28) from Peterborough UK, now living in Dublin
Profession: Telco Sales Consultant
Michelle moved out of home in Lincolnshire at 15, and at age 19 she travelled to Ireland with €300 in her pocket, not knowing she would never leave again. Michelle currently works as a corporate accounts manager.
Nagaite Farag (25) from Waterford
Profession: Sales and Retention Agent
Nagaite grew up in Tipperary and has recently moved to Waterford. She has a Masters in Business Studies, specialising in Economics and Finance.
Niamh Humphreys (35) from Limerick
Profession: Account Manager
Niamh spent five years living and working in Waterford City before settling in Feohanagh in West Limerick six years ago.
Niamh McDonald (23) from Wexford
Profession: Marketing Coordinator
Niamh graduated from University Limerick and is currently working as a marketing co-ordinator for a legal training firm in Dublin.
Panagiotis (Panos) Zambetakis (33) from Greece, now living in Dublin
Profession: Senior Online Advertising Manager
Panos Zambetakis, who hails originally from Greece, is now living in Dublin and considers Ireland home. Panos works as a Senior Media Sales Executive for Google.
Sarah O’Neill (30) from Dublin
Profession: Marketing Communication Manager
Sarah has worked with British Telecom working as PR and Communications Manager. And has also held posts in 02 and 3.
Tara Lee (24) from Dublin
Profession: Property Surveyor
Tara is a Graduate Property Surveyor who is working for CIE Group Property Management.
Will McCreevey (22) from Dublin
Profession: Business Development Manager
Will McCreevy was born and raised in Dublin. From the age of 17, Will has been living and working on his own and has just taken redundancy at Bank of Scotland Ireland.
Barry Caesar Hunt (32) from Dublin
Profession: Entrepreneur
Barry had his first job when he was eight years old, delivering papers in the local area for 50 pence a day. He says he went from there to earning one million euro plus per year before losing it all.
Cahal Heapes (32) from Ballydehob, West Cork
Profession: Area Sales Manager
Cahal comes from Cork but studied in the University of Limerick, where he qualified in engineering. He is currently employed as an Area Sales Manager for Kenneth Green Associates, a fragrance distribution company.
Caroline McHugh (26) from: Athlone, Roscommon
Caroline is a newly qualified solicitor and is currently working with Mahon Sweeney Solicitors in Roscommon.
Ciara McManus (34) from Dublin
Profession: Sales Manager
Ciara is from Raheny, Dublin and is the mother of 5 children, 2 of her own and 3 step children. During the recession she exceeded her targets by more than 200%, has released new products and created her own sales training for external sales teams.
Janice Butler
