News: Young Apprentice winner back at work

Rotherham apprentice, Ashleigh Porter-Exley, was back at work at Martin & Co Rotherham, straight after winning this year's BBC's Young Apprentice.

Described by Lord Sugar as a "real old fashion grafter" 17-year-old Ashleigh saw 11 fellow candidates fired in the boardroom over the course of the series and picked up the £25,000 first prize.

The Swinton entrepreneur started working as an apprentice with Martin & Co Rotherham, part of the national high street letting agent, in May 2012 and managed to achieve her title whilst studying her NVQ Level 2 in Business and Admin as well as taking an evening accountancy course.

She has been working towards her qualification with the help of The Source at Meadowhall.

On winning the competition, Ashleigh said: "I'm ecstatic to be the winner of Young Apprentice, it still feels surreal. My plan is to knuckle down and get my qualifications passed, I also am keen to carry on gaining work experience and keep expanding my knowledge, confidence and expertise."

Ashleigh is also contemplating investing her winnings in setting up her own property management or financial consultancy business and has since started working at Rotherham steel stockholders, C Roberts. She added: "Working for Martin & Co has been very beneficial for me. The sector is fast paced which suits me and my demand for a challenge."

Tony Deveney, franchise owner of Martin & Co in Rotherham has supported Ashleigh throughout her journey over the last few months. He said: "I decided to take on an apprentice, having been one myself and I wanted to support the career of another young person and help them achieve their business goals, like I was able to do.

"When Ashleigh joined us last May, I had no idea she had enrolled to take part in the TV series! She's certainly worked hard over the last few months and deserves to achieve all that she has. Ashleigh is an inspiration to other young people in the area."

Mike Denby, Head of Employer Engagement at The Source, echoed the sentiments. He said: "Ashleigh is a fantastic example of an individual who is willing to work hard to develop her skills and grow her career. Her experience on the show has been out of this world, and she is an inspiration to other young people who are looking for work and not sure which path to choose. Ashleigh is the real deal - a true Apprentice!"

Martin & Co Rotherham website

Images: Martin & Co

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News: Ashleigh wins Young Apprentice

Rotherham apprentice, Ashleigh Porter-Exley, has won this year's BBC's Young Apprentice.

Described by Lord Sugar as a "real old fashion grafter" 17-year-old Ashleigh saw 11 fellow candidates fired in the boardroom over the course of the series and picked up the £25,000 first prize.

The Wath entrepreneur currently has two jobs and has been working as an apprentice with letting agents Martin & Co Rotherham since May. She is also currently studying at college for her NVQ Level 2 in Business and Admin as well as taking an evening accountancy course.

She said that she wants a few days off after winning but will back at work, but didn't want to give too much away about what she may do with the prize money.

In the final episode, Ashleigh, again took on the role of project manager in a task to create a new brand of sportswear with global potential. Her team won the task convincingly.

Ashleigh Porter-Exley, winner of BBC Young Apprentice 2012, said: "I'm ecstatic. It's not really sunk in yet, so I think I need to sleep on it for a few days.

"I'm not the typical candidate – if bookies did put a bet on it then I'd probably be a million to one. I'm just a normal person from a normal background with normal parents. We go camping for our holidays and don't go on luxury flights away and things. So it's quite strange to have the opportunity that I've been given.

"I doubted myself throughout because of where I am from.


People always used to judge me on how I speak because I'm quite broad and Northern. It's not about where you come from or how you speak, it's where you're going and what you can achieve."

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News: Young apprentice hopes to impress Lord Sugar

An apprentice at letting agents, Martin & Co Rotherham, is hoping to avoid the immortal words - "you're fired" and win a £25,000 business development fund to kick-start her career.

17-year-old Ashleigh Porter-Exley successfully secured herself a place on the third series of the BBC's Young Apprentice where contestants compete in a series of business challenges overseen by Lord Alan Sugar.

Ashleigh currently has two jobs and has been working as an apprentice with Martin & Co Rotherham since May. She is also currently studying at college for her NVQ Level 2 in Business and Admin as well as taking an evening accountancy course.

Tony Deveney, franchise owner of Martin & Co Rotherham in Whiston decided to take on an apprentice, having been one himself. He said: "I wanted to support the career of another young person and help them achieve their business goals, like I have done.

"The good thing about taking on an apprentice is that they are open to new ideas and ways of working. They absorb a lot of information are often free of any inhibitions."

Tony added that he has had much positive feedback from clients on the good service that Ashleigh has given both landlords and tenants in the Rotherham area.

During her interview for the show, Ashleigh, said: "My life would be nothing without business; it's what I was born to do and be."

She added that her aim is to prove to kids that you can achieve your dreams if you fight hard enough and believes that there has never been a candidate like her on Young Apprentice.

Ashleigh made an excellent start to the competition, captaining the winning girls team in a fashion-themed challenge in the first episode.

Martin & Co Rotherham website

Images: bbc.co.uk

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