Anita Shah

Watch handbag\'s exclusive video interview with Anita, the first candidate to be fired.

Age: 35
Career: Business strategist
Qualifications: LLB in Law and Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
Lives: Birmingham

She says: “My CV is strong. I am articulate. I can deal with questions and make impactful statements. Many lawyers can’t. People want to chat with me.”

Need to know: Anita is a self-confessed perfectionist, a cricket fanatic and considers herself to be a humanitarian with a Bridget Jones alter ego.

handbag.com’s first impression: Anita seems to have a good business mind, but we don’t think she’ll be tough enough to compete with the ruthless and devious nature of the boardroom.

Philip Taylor

Age: 29
Career: Estate agent
Qualifications: NEBS Certificate in Management
Lives: County Durham

He says: “Business is the new rock’n’ roll and I’m Elvis Presley.”

Need to know: Philip describes himself as ‘confident and charming’ and is a self-obsessed control freak. He also considers himself to be a nice guy, and believes that you should make friends but make money while doing it.

handbag.com’s first impression: Everything about Philip’s picture says ‘Tim Nice But Dim’ and Philip didn’t exactly say anything to change our minds. He’s going to be cannon fodder for the other candidates. It’s almost too horrid to watch. We said almost.

Noorul Choudhury

Watch handbag\'s exclusive video interview with Noorul, the sixth candidate to be fired.

Age: 33
Career: Science teacher
Qualifications: GTTP, CIM
Lives: Rochdale

Noorul says: “I have always been ambitious and driven and I’ve got the capabilities to deliver. I am not all talk… I can manage a team of people, total strangers even, because I am feisty and have an attitude.”

Need to know: Noorul is a science teacher, but hopes he will eventually become a property development millionaire. He says he’s fashion-obsessed, aims to start up a men’s tailoring business, and sees business as a dog-eat-dog game.

handbag.com’s first impression: We’re not sure Noorul was telling the truth when he said he was a science teacher, he seems way too ruthless.

Majid Nagra

Watch handbag\'s exclusive video interview with Majid, the third candidate to be fired.

Age: 28
Career: Business development manager
Qualifications: BSc Computer Science
Lives: Coventry

He says: “I think that business is the backbone to this world, without companies buying and selling there wouldn’t be any economy.”

Need to know: Maj describes his attitude as ‘never say die’ and was expelled from school for wayward behaviour, now he works with youth centres and charities while running his own car hire business, never shies away from the spotlight.

handbag.com’s first impression: Maj is going to be the class clown on this series, which should make for some good laughs.

James McQuillan

Watch our exclusive interview with James and find out if he really is just a joker.

Age: 32
Career: Senior commercial manager
Qualifications: MA Hons in Economics
Lives: Surrey

He says: “I’m astute and shrewd and smart… maybe blunt at times.”

Need to know: James describes himself as a ‘schmoozer’ and loves sports, he’s a former child chess champion and cites Al Pachino and J K Rowling as his inspirational figures. Claims he suffers from ‘foot in mouth syndrome’ and would have loved to been the brains behind the A-Team.

handbag.com’s first impression: James is going to need a lot more than Harry Potter wizardry to get him through to the last round.

Howard Ebison

Watch our exclusive interview with Howard and find out if he was sick of Lorraine\'s \"instincts\".

Age: 24
Career: Retail business management
Qualifications: CIMA Part-qualified accountant – BSc (Hons) Maths And Business Studies
Lives: Derby

He says: “I am a credible businessman who wants to go far. I am incredibly ambitious. If I don’t go far down this route I shall go far down another route.”

Need to know: Howard is an award-winning dancer, self-trained musician and area manager to 10 pubs.

handbag.com’s first impression: Doesn’t have much self confidence, he’s already talking about what he’ll do if he doesn’t win.

Ben Clarke

Age: 22
Career: Trainee stockbroker
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Economics And Business
Lives: Belfast

He says: “To me making money is better than sex.”

Need to know: A rebellious stockbroker, considers himself money-obsessed. Ben’s a former Gavin Henson lookalike, admires Hugh Hefner as a business figure, and plays rugby.

handbag.com’s first impression: If Ben thinks making money is better than sex, we’re pretty sure he’s single.

Yasmina Siadatan

Check out our interview with Yasmina and find out what she thought won her the show.

Age: 27
Career: Restaurateur
Qualifications: BSc Economic History With Population Studies
Lives: London

She says: “Business is about a simple formula. Make more than you spend. That’s what I do. I keep business simple and it works, I’m good at it.”

Need to know: A restaurant owner and marathon runner, spent time living in Los Angeles and Iraq, admires Richard Branson’s attitude to personal service.

handbag.com’s first impression: If looks could kill, Yasmina wouldn’t need to worry about having any competition.

Paula Jones

Watch handbag\'s exclusive video interview with Paula, the fourth candidate to be fired. 

Age: 29
Career: Human resource consultant
Qualifications: Masters Degree in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management
Lives: Walsall, West Midlands

She says: “I am the girl with a plan. I have great wit and strength of character  and I am resilient to the core.”

Need to know: Loves fashion and interior design. Paula is disorganised and would rather be liked than get involved in conflict.

handbag.com’s first impression: Will probably go unnoticed for the first few episodes before being knocked out of the game for not doing much at all.

Mona Lewis

Watch handbag\'s exclusive video interview with Mona, the eighth candidate to be fired.

Age: 28
Career: Senior financial manager
Qualifications: A levels
Lives: Kent

She says: “I knew I would be selected, not to sound big-headed… I’ve succeeded in the companies I’ve worked for because I work hard and I’m honest.”

Need to know: A former beauty queen and a mother of one, Mona believes personal emotions should never interfere with decision making.

handbag.com’s first impression: The egotist of the girls, expect lots of backstabbing from Mona.

Lorraine Tighe

Watch our exclusive interview with Lorraine and see if her \"instincts\" really are all they\'re cracked up to be.

Age: 36
Career: National accounts manager
Qualifications: NHC in Business Studies
Lives: Kent

Lorraine says: “I’ve fought against all the odds. I’m a single mum with no education and I’ve had a very hard time. It is tough, but to have the confidence I have, I should be very proud of myself.”

Need to know: Lorraine is a mother of two who left school at 16. She has gone on to be the top sales person in every company she has ever worked for and admires Victoria Beckham for being equally resourceful when doubted for having ‘not much talent’.

handbag.com’s first impression: Lorraine seems like she could be a real hard-hitter, and with two young kids at home she’s likely to be more determined to win The Apprentice for them.

Kimberly Davis

Watch our exclusive video interview with sacked Kimberly

Age: 33
Career: Marketing consultant
Qualifications: BA in Music Management
Lives: London

She says: “I bring honesty and integrity to the table, I don’t lie, cheat or backstab. I am no the stereotypical New Yorker – and it’s a stereotype I’ve faced.”

Need to know: Born in the Bronx, New Yorker Kimberly is an accomplished musician and business owner. She has launched a highly successful marketing and development business. Kimberley has played Mozart at Carnegie Hall, danced onstage at Disney World and played flute in Disney Land’s Electric Light Parade.

handbag.com’s first impression: We think the lady doth protest too much. It’ll be interesting to see how long Kimberly keeps herself from lying, cheating and backstabbing on The Apprentice.

Kate Walsh

We caught up with Kate on the eve of her final task and found out how she felt going into the boardroom for the last time.

Age: 27
Career: Licensing development
Qualifications: BSc in Psychology and Management
Lives: Hampshire

She says: “My CV speaks for itself. I’ve always excelled academically and I have really achieved within a corporate environment across sales, marketing and a number of different aspects of business.”

Need to know: Kate regrets not applying to Oxbridge and admires the ballsy approach to business of Sex And The City’s Samantha. She’s an indie music fan and lists her passions as cooking, snowboarding and gym workouts.

handbag.com’s first impression: Miss goody-two-shoes. Kate seems to have her head screwed on and may be some of the main players’ biggest competition, she seems to be a hard-working girl who’s not afraid to pull her punches.

Debra Barr

Watch our exclusive interview with Debra and find out if she\'s really as fierce as she seemed!

Age: 24
Career: Senior sales consultant
Qualifications: BA in English Literature
Lives: Surrey

She says: “When I set my sights on something I have to make sure I get it. I am very cautious and only let the people that I can trust see the softer side of me.”

Need to know: Debra was awarded ‘mouth of the year’ at her office Christmas party and confessed to being a bit ‘tenacious’. Overcame illiteracy aged 10, when she was told she had the reading age of a six-year-old. Is inspired by Bill Gates and Richard Branson.

handbag.com’s first impression: Debra could bring a lot of action to Sir Alan’s boardroom and cause a lot of tension in tasks with her ‘mouth of the year’. Although she could just be all talk and no trousers.

Rocky Andrews

Watch handbag\'s exclusive video interview with Rocky, the second candidate to be fired.

Age: 21
Career: Sandwich chain owner
Qualifications: N/A
Lives: North Yorkshire

He says: “For me business is about hard work, attention to detail, being willing to make mistakes and learning from these mistakes.”

Need to know: Rocky left school at 16 to pursue a career in football with Middlesbrough United but was soon diagnosed with arthritis. He started his sandwich business at 17, and now has 15 shops across the north east of England. Rocky already earns more than the salary on offer from Sir Alan.

handbag.com’s first impression: We have an inkling that Rocky might not actually be after the top job and may just be raising his profile. But that should just make his antics all the more hilarious.