'Apprentice' judge to address women’s business seminar

Sir Alan Sugar’s trusted advisor from BBC’s reality television programme 'The Apprentice' is to give the keynote address at the ‘Women in Business ‘07’ conference in Templepatrick.

In the hit TV show, Margaret Mountford is one of the two judges. She has worked with Mr Sugar for 20 years and is on the Amstrad board of directors.

Ms Mountford, who is originally from Holywood County Down, believes that a Northern Irish background has helped her career.

She said: “I think coming from Northern Ireland gives you a lot of basic level-headedness and stands you in very good stead.

“A lot of what’s required is a common sense approach, much of business depends on that actually.”

Ms Mountford also said she is looking forward to helping women get ahead in business in the province.

“I think the basic message to give is that women have to believe in their own ability – no-one else is going to believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself.

“Though it’s not the only answer to ‘just go for it’, if you don’t go for it you’re never going to get it and I think people need to be able to stand on their own feet a lot more and have more confidence in their ability.”

She was educated in Belfast before moving to England where she became a solicitor. She met Alan Sugar while doing legal work for Amstrad’s flotation on the Stock Exchange.

(JM/SP)