Apprentice hopeful Alex Short has previously been been the director of three failed recruitment firms, MailOnline can exclusively reveal.
Alex, 27, is the third candidate to be exposed in recent days as having a less than illustrious business background before appearing on the reality programme.
The businessman was one of two directors of a firm called JobsFindYou Ltd which was incorporated in April 2013 before his appointment was terminated a year later.
Uh oh! Apprentice hopeful Alex Short has previously been been the director of three failed recruitment firms, MailOnline can exclusively reveal
The firm, based in Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, never traded and filed accounts in 2014 as a dormant company, showing it had just £2 in the bank which was the sum total of the firm’s assets. It was finally dissolved voluntarily in January 2017.
A second recruitment firm with an almost identical name – JobsFindU Ltd – was also incorporated on the same date as JobsFindYou in 2013.
Short and his business partner Alex Rodwell were directors, and Sabrina Rodwell acted as company secretary.
Again, the firm filed accounts as a dormant company with £2 before it was dissolved voluntarily in 2016.
Background: Alex, 27, is the third candidate to be exposed in recent days as having a less than illustrious business background before appearing on the reality programme
A third recruitment firm called Wellshor Ltd was dissolved in October 2020 eight years after it was incorporated in July 2012.
It also had the same directors and filed accounts as dormant company in 2013 with assets totalling £100 in cash held at the bank.
It started trading the following year, recording total assets of £3,245 but it paid out £30,436 to creditors leaving Short and Rodwell shouldering a deficit of £25,321.
You’re fired! The businessman was one of two directors of a firm called JobsFindYou Ltd which was incorporated in April 2013 before his appointment was terminated a year later
It was similarly in the red in 2015, to the tune of £26,972, and recording liabilities of exactly the same amount – £26,972 – in 2016 after Short had departed, and £26,972 again in 2017, and the same in 2018.
In 2019 it chalked-up a deficit of £2,222 before applying to be struck off the register of companies in April 2020, and it was finally dissolved in October that year.
Short went on to change tack and founded a commercial cleaning firm called Stag Commercial Cleaning Services Ltd in 2016 with a new business partner, Thomas Silvester.
Silvester resigned the following year and short took sole charge of the business, posting accounts for 2016/17 showing the company had £677 at the bank and total assets of £4,502, though it posted a loss of £5,800 due to paying out £10,202 to creditors.
Not a success: A second recruitment firm with an almost identical name – JobsFindU Ltd – was also incorporated on the same date as JobsFindYou in 2013
It chalked up a profit of £4,329 in 2018, which dropped to £1,920 the following year, but earnings had dwindled to only £384 in 2020, despite the firm having current assets with £108,220, including £66,289 in cash at the bank.
It paid out £59,322 in sums owed to creditors, largely made up of tax payments and bank charges, and owed £50,000 in bank loans.
In March 20201, it registered a document outline a charge against the company giving a firm called Maketfinance Ltd the right to take over the assets of Short’s firm should it fail in what appears to be a re-financing arrangement.
Not a great track record: Short becomes the latest cast member to be exposed as having patchy business credentials and links to dissolved, low-income companies
On January 6 this year, on the same day the first full episode of The Apprentice was broadcast by the BBC, Short’s firm posted its accounts covering 2021, showing a dramatic increase in the firm’s earnings to £144,996.
Following the claims, Alex told MailOnline: ‘I’m the proud owner and sole director of an established and successful business, Stag Cleaning, which, in its 6th year, has a 7 figure turnover with a healthy net profit. I am proud of my past, it has made me who I am today.’
Short becomes the latest cast member to be exposed as having patchy business credentials and links to dissolved, low-income companies, including Lord Sugar’s right hand man, Tim Campbell, the winner of the first series who is standing in for an injured Claude Littner, and current candidate Akshay Thakrar.
Meanwhile Akeem Bundu-Kamara, who boasts that he is on ‘the pathway to making it’, runs an ethical sportswear firm which was worth just £28 last year.
Despite the measly sum, Akeem, 30, bragged about being ‘a numbers guy’ in a summary of his talents on the show as he hoped to impress Lord Sugar.
The Apprentice continues on Thursday at 9pm on BBC1.
Back on! The Apprentice continues on Thursday at 9pm on BBC1
THE APPRENTICE 2022: MEET THE MEN
AARON WILLIS, 38
Occupation: Flight Operations Instructor
Lives in: Chorley, Lancashire
Key information: Having served in the RAF for 12 years as Flight Operations Instructor, Aaron has set out to start his own security business.
He says: ‘My strongest point is that I can sell to anybody and I think that’s the reason why my business will be a success, because people will buy from me.’
AKSHAY THAKRAR, 28
Occupation: Owner, Digital Marketing Agency
Lives in: London
Key information: Referring to himself as a man who believes sleeping is a ‘waste of time’ he also claims his first word as a newborn was ‘profit’.
He says: ‘My friends call me AK 47 because I’m a killer salesperson.’
CONOR GILSENAN, 28
Occupation: Sales Executive and former Professional Rugby Player
Lives in: London
Key information: Hard working and ‘hyper motivated by money’, ex rugby player Conor describes himself as a ‘corporate panther’ with a record for getting deals done and who will win this series.
He says: ‘I’m going to be the corporate panther in the boardroom, I’m going to get it done, and I’m going to be Lord Sugar’s perfect business partner.’
NAVID SOLE, 27
Occupation: Pharmacist
Lives in: London
Key information: Qualified pharmacist and Nicki Minaj superfan Navid aspires to create a successful pharmacy business with the help and expertise of Lord Sugar.
He says: ‘Nothing intimidates me because I just feel like I’m a strong character, strong person, strong mindset.’
AKEEM BUNDU KAMARA, 29
Occupation: Strategy Manager for a Financial Firm
Lives in: London
Key information: Akeem considers himself a people’s person who loves being around others, however as a ‘numbers guy’, his analytical ability often causes him to think carefully about his every move, as he claims he will come in with a ‘calculated point of view.’
He says: ‘My growing up has made me who I am, I’m able to converse with everyone, but also able to show that financial, business side to myself.’
ALEX SHORT, 27
Occupation: Owner, Commercial Cleaning Company
Lives in: Hertford
Key information: With big goals for his commercial cleaning business, Alex is driven, focused and is ‘not going to stop’ until he gets where he wants to go.
He says: ‘I would compare myself to a Ferrari, shiny on the outside but under the bonnet, there is a lot of fire and I’m coming for you.’
HARRY MAHMOOD, 35
Occupation: Regional Operations Manager
Lives in: West Midlands
Key information: Inspired by the kindness of his grandparents, Harry wants to help and support people.
He says: ‘Everything I’ve looked into achieving, I’ve achieved I’ve literally done everything I’ve put my mind to.’
NICK SHOWERING, 31
Occupation: Finance Manager
Lives in: London
Key information: After ‘working in the shadow of his family’s business’, qualified accountant Nick hopes to make a name for himself in the drinks industry with his line of flavoured water.
He says: ‘In business I’m a bit of a force to be reckoned with I know what I’m talking about, I know how things work, and I’m extremely experienced So, I’m a bit of an animal in the boardroom’
THE APPRENTICE 2022: MEET THE WOMEN
AMY ANZEL, 48
Occupation: Owner, beauty brand
Lives: London
Key information: Starting her beauty business a little later in life, Amy has now found what she really loves doing after previously working in sales, showbiz and jingles.
She says: ‘I can be nice when I need to be, but when I unfortunately have to be a b***h, I will…’
BRITTANY CARTER, 25
Occupation: Hotel front of house manager
Lives: Bristol
Key information: Brittany is looking to break away from her hotel role and launch the first alcoholic protein drink, with Lord Sugar’s help.
She says: ‘My motto for life is ‘always look on the bright side’
FRANCESCA KENNEDY-WALLBANK, 26
Occupation: Owner, sustainability company
Lives: Surrey
Key information: The eco-conscious, mathematics graduate is looking for investment in her next venture, providing a product carbon footprint service for businesses with a simple equation of her own creation.
She says: ‘There’s two types of people in the world- people that say they are going to do things and people that actually do them and I’m a doer’
HARPEET KAUR, 30
Occupation: Owner, dessert parlour
Lives: West Yorkshire
Key information: Describing herself as a born leader, fearless and funny, Harpreet plans to ‘level up’ her successful, six-figure coffee and cakes business to become a leading brand in the UK.
She says: ‘I’m definitely not in business to make friends. I’m here to make money, and I’m sure Lord Sugar isn’t looking for a new mate.
KATHRYN LOUISE BURN, 29
Occupation: Owner, online pyjama store
Lives: Swindon
Key information: Kathryn has worked a wide range of jobs from mortgage advisor to events manager. Describing herself as ambitious, kind, and often ‘savage’, she says she’s there to win, not to make friends.
She says: ‘My dreams in my head are absolutely huge and I believe I can achieve them.’
SOPHIE WILDING, 32
Occupation: Owner, boutique cocktail bar
Lives: Cheltenham
Key information: Describing herself as ‘magical and enchanting’ Sophie even has a witch school qualification. She previously worked in sales and has huge renovation plans for her bar.
She says: ‘Failure is not an option. Winning is part of my DNA.’
STEPHANIE AFFLECK, 28
Occupation: Owner, online children’s store
Lives: Kent
Key information: With her East-London roots, the blonde is hoping to bond with Lord Sugar and match his no nonsense attitude towards business. She’s looking for funding to develop her designer store and be part of the growing pre-loved fashion industry.
She says: ‘I’ve got grit, determination and I’m determined to be successful.’
SHAMA AMIN, 41
Occupation: Owner, children’s day nursery
Lives: Bradford
Key information: Shama already has a busy work life running her children’s day nursery as well as juggling life with five children at home. She is ready to prove she has the ‘skillset that is required to be one of the best, successful businesswomen in the early years sector.’
She says: ‘Being a lady of colour, wearing a headscarf as well and the challenges that we face on a daily basis, I just want to be a living example for the Asian women out there.’
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