Lord Alan Sugar has officially invested in R Nation, the enterprise helmed by Rachel Woolford, the latest victor of BBC One’s The Apprentice. Woolford secured the £250,000 investment after triumphing over Phil Turner in the show’s finale, which aired in April.
Documents filed with Companies House reveal that Lord Sugar’s investment firm, Amsvest Limited, has acquired up to a 50% stake in R Nation. Furthermore, Lord Sugar joined the company’s board of directors on June 17.
R Nation, established in 2019 and headquartered in Loughton, operates a gym in Leeds. Despite its growth, the company has yet to achieve profitability. In 2023, it reported a loss of £336,346, following a similar financial shortfall in 2022 when it owed £288,409. The filings attribute most of these expenses to equipment costs.
Despite these financial hurdles, Lord Sugar’s investment and direct involvement are anticipated to provide the essential support to guide 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, an increase from 165th the previous year. Known for founding Amstrad, a British consumer electronics company, Sugar amassed his wealth primarily through property investments.
The Apprentice experienced a drop of 1.2 million viewers during its February launch this year. However, the show continues to be a vital platform for aspiring entrepreneurs. Since its inception on BBC in 2005, the series has attracted peak viewership of 6.8 million.
Lord Sugar’s latest investment in R Nation underscores his ongoing dedication to nurturing emerging business talent and promoting entrepreneurial growth through The Apprentice.
