Harpreet Kaur is a British entrepreneur who rose to fame as the winner of ‘The Apprentice’ in the year 2022. At just 30 years old, she showcased her sharp business skills and earned a £250,000 investment from Lord Alan Sugar for her dessert company, Oh So Yum! Founded in 2015, with her sister. The business specialises in indulgent sweets and has grown to include a popular dessert parlour in Bradford. After a successful year working with Lord Sugar, Harpreet bought back her shares and decided to move on to explore new opportunities.
Asian Voice spoke to Harpreet Kaur, winner of ‘The Apprentice 2022’, about her journey since the show, the evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion in Britain and much more.
How has your journey evolved since then, and how do you feel about the lasting impact of your victory?
Winning back in 2022 feels like a lifetime ago. The process was intense, but life-changing; it pushed me far outside my comfort zone and taught me that while confidence is important, there’s always more to learn. It was a pivotal moment that reshaped how I see myself and my journey. Since then, I’ve evolved personally and professionally, embracing lifelong learning and adaptability. The show opened countless doors: I gained a supportive online community, worked with investors, led business collaborations, and eventually bought back the company shares. After running it with my sister for 10 years, she’s now taking the reins while I pursue new ventures. I’m applying everything I’ve learned to future projects and yes, I even met my husband through the show. Taking that leap truly changed my life.
How did your background and experiences shape the way you approach entrepreneurship, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
I come from a retail banking background, where I was a bank manager and learned the importance of managing people effectively. No one can succeed alone; at some point, you need to work with others. If you can't manage people or resources well, it will limit your success, or at least slow it down. One of my strengths is identifying people's strengths and weaknesses, which allows me to place them in positions where they can contribute most effectively. This was a key part of my approach on The Apprentice, where success required teamwork.
I also learned that things change rapidly—the world, economy, market, customers, and employees all evolve quickly. You have to be adaptable and ready to pivot, because your ideas can quickly become outdated. Staying ahead means always thinking about the next step to avoid getting left behind.
How do you see D&I evolving in Britain, and what role do you think businesses play in shaping a more inclusive society?
Businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, but many are still in survival mode post-Covid. As the first South Asian winner of ‘The Apprentice’, I saw how underrepresented yet vital diverse communities are in business. While representation matters, struggling small business owners now urgently need better government support, easier access to funding, and targeted help especially for those without the time or tools to seek it online.
How successful do you think Britain has been in promoting diversity and inclusion across various sectors?
I think the UK has done quite well on diversity and inclusion, especially compared to many other countries. There's always room for improvement, but D&I is no longer seen as a bonus; it's becoming the bare minimum, particularly in medium to large corporations. Whether it’s race, gender, culture, or the LGBTQ+ community, there’s a clear focus on creating inclusive workplaces. As a keynote speaker, I’ve had the opportunity to speak at D&I events across industries from the police force to finance and direct-to-consumer brands and I’m pleased to see the UK leading the way in this space.
Given your success on “The Apprentice”, do you think television platforms like this have played a significant role in promoting diversity and providing opportunities for underrepresented groups?
I applied for “The Apprentice” because I grew up watching the show and always appreciated its diverse range of applicants. Since being on it, I’ve received so many messages especially from young girls of South Asian background thanking me for representing them in mainstream media. For many, it was the first time they saw someone who looked like them on national television outside of South Asian-specific platforms. It gave them the confidence to say, “If she can do it, so can I,” and to believe that being brown shouldn’t hold them back. That’s why representation in TV and media is so important. In today’s world, where television and social media are dominant sources of entertainment and information, diverse visibility can deeply inspire the next generation. I’m proud to know that I may have played a part in motivating others to chase their goals.