Lord Alan Sugar has officially invested in R Nation, the company run by Rachel Woolford, the latest winner of BBC One’s The Apprentice. Woolford secured the £250,000 investment after defeating Phil Turner in the show’s final, which aired in April.
According to documents filed with Companies House, Lord Sugar’s investment firm, Amsvest Limited, has acquired up to a 50% stake in R Nation. Additionally, Lord Sugar (pictured with his with Lady Ann Sugar) joined the business as a director on June 17.
R Nation, established in 2019 and based in Loughton, operates a gym in Leeds. However, the company has yet to turn a profit. In 2023, it reported a loss of £336,346, following a similar financial performance in 2022 when it owed £288,409. The filings indicate that most of the expenses were attributed to equipment costs.
Despite the financial challenges, Lord Sugar’s investment and direct involvement could provide the necessary support to steer the company towards profitability.
Earlier this year, The Sunday Times Rich List estimated Lord Alan Sugar’s net worth at £1.082 billion, ranking him 159th, up from 165th the previous year. Known for founding Amstrad, a British consumer electronics company, Sugar made his fortune primarily through property investments.
While The Apprentice experienced a drop of 1.2 million viewers during its February launch this year, the show remains a significant platform for aspiring entrepreneurs. The series, which has been a staple on BBC since 2005, once attracted peak viewership of 6.8 million.
Lord Sugar’s latest investment in R Nation underscores his continued commitment to supporting emerging business talent and fostering entrepreneurial growth through The Apprentice.
