Cambridge University alumnus Simon Ambrose was chosen last week as the winner of BBC’s hit TV show The Apprentice. Ambrose, who graduated from Magdalene College in 2000 with a double first in Economics, triumphed over fellow finalist Kristina Grimes in a head to head battle watched by 6.8 million viewers.

For their last challenge, the two contestants were asked to design an eye-catching landmark on London’s South Bank. Ambrose’s presentation of his wave-shaped building led Sugar to declare that the contestant had the audience “eating out of his hands”. The result came as a shock, Grimes having been the bookies’ favourite before the final was broadcast. The episode marked the culmination of twelve weeks of diverse challenges, in which candidates for Sir Alan Sugar’s apprenticeship worked in teams to impress the hard-headed entrepreneur.

A former pupil of Westminster School, Ambrose spent his time in Cambridge developing many talents. A frequent contributor to Cambridge Footlights, the 27 year-old was also involved in yachting, karate and kite boarding, as well as purportedly being able to speak six languages. Porters at Magdalene fondly remembered “Spambrose”, but were unwilling to divulge any details of his college life, other than his apparent involvement in a mysterious, “ill-advised” punting party involving a barbeque.

Ambrose claims to have been a fan of Sir Alan from a young age, first programming one of the businessman’s Amstrad computers at the age of six. After graduating, a short spell as an investment banker gave way to internet-based entrepreneurial ventures. Now, he will leave behind his current online lighting and lettings agency to begin working for Sir Alan on a salary in the region of £100,000 per year.

During the programme, Ambrose was seen wearing the signature tie of Magdalene’s drinking society The Wyverns, with its distinctive golden dragons on a blue background. An infamously gruelling initiation ritual of foul food and copious amounts of alcohol is a prerequisite for those who wish to become a society member. But questions have been raised over whether the Apprentice winner ever actually undertook this challenge to attain fully fledged status. An article in the Daily Mail suggested that fellow graduates had expressed consternation at the sight of Ambrose sporting the tie regardless.

But speaking to Varsity, current Wyverns President James Gibbon was more circumspect. “There has been a lot of speculation about whether Simon Ambrose was ever initiated into The Wyverns. Whether he actually was or not, however, is irrelevant - he is a natural born winner and probably chose to wear the tie he felt best suited that aspect of his character”.

His popularity among younger viewers was increased by the part he played in the more farcical moments on the show. Most notably, his attempt to sell a trampoline live on a shopping channel led to an unfortunate spectacle where he appeared to be, in the words of the Sunday Mirror, “screwing a six-inch trampoline leg into his crotch”.

The phallic faux pas was described by BBC presenter Adrian Chiles as “the greatest piece of TV… ever”. Ambrose further admits to once posing as a Manchester United football agent to secure a table for ten at a celebrity-packed restaurant.
Nevertheless, his former tutors have been thrilled by Simon’s success. Dr Nigel Knight, Director of Studies in Economics at Magdalene College said “I am very happy for Simon, it is a remarkable achievement. I remember him well as an undergraduate at Magdalene and his confident style made him a good candidate - no doubt he will work well with Sir Alan Sugar.”

Emma Inkester