Hornchurch’s Dean Franklin Wins The Apprentice 2025, Secures £250,000 Investment from Lord Sugar

Key Points:

• Dean Franklin from Hornchurch has been crowned winner of The Apprentice 2025.
• Dean secured £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar to grow his business, ADL Airconditioning.
• Dean competed against Anisa Khan in the final, who pitched her business, Bombay Pizza.
• The final was filmed last week, and Dean revealed his nerves ahead of the pitch.
• Despite a minor stage slip-up, Dean’s performance impressed Lord Sugar, leading to his victory.
• Dean plans to expand his air-conditioning business by hiring new engineers, acquiring new vans, and building a showroom.

Dean Franklin from Hornchurch was announced as the winner of The Apprentice 2025 after a tense final episode aired on April 18, 2025. He triumphed over fellow contestant Anisa Khan, securing a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar to take his air-conditioning business, ADL Airconditioning, to new heights.

How did Dean Franklin feel after winning The Apprentice 2025?

Dean expressed his excitement and emotional reaction to winning, saying: “I’m still on cloud nine,” adding that the victory felt like “a dream come true.” He admitted to feeling “so emotional” and found it hard to process the moment, as it was something he had always aspired to achieve. Dean also shared that he enjoyed watching the finale with his family, noting their celebration with tears and excitement when he was hired by Lord Sugar.

What was Dean’s pitch for ADL Airconditioning in the final?

Throughout the competition, Dean had shown his business acumen but admitted he was nervous about the final pitch in front of 200 industry experts. Speaking about the experience, Dean admitted he was “petrified,” but was pleasantly surprised by how well his pitch went. He mentioned, “I couldn’t have done anymore, and it couldn’t have gone any better.” His business, ADL Airconditioning, impressed Lord Sugar enough to secure the win, particularly due to its strong performance in terms of ratings and customer satisfaction.

What plans does Dean have for his business after winning The Apprentice?

Dean has big plans for ADL Airconditioning with the £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar. His primary focus will be on expanding the business by recruiting new apprentice engineers, acquiring new vehicles, and building a showroom to display his company’s air-conditioning units.

Dean confirmed that new vans and engineers are already in the process of being introduced to the business. He couldn’t wait to “crack on” with the expansion once the show was over, and was eager to get back to work and grow his company.

How did Dean Franklin’s final performance compare to Anisa Khan’s?

The final of The Apprentice 2025 saw Dean go head-to-head with Anisa Khan, who pitched her Indian pizza fusion business, Bombay Pizza. Reflecting on his victory, Dean said, “It wasn’t so much me vs Anisa, but ADL Airconditioning vs Bombay Pizza, and I think it came down to the figures.” He explained that both businesses were strong contenders, but Lord Sugar ultimately preferred ADL Airconditioning.

Dean acknowledged the hard work both he and Anisa had put into their respective businesses, stating, “We were comparing ratings, reviews, and rewards, and we’ve both achieved loads. It came down to the business itself, and I think Lord Sugar just liked mine a bit more.”

What was the humorous moment during Dean’s final pitch?

Despite the high-pressure environment of the final, Dean managed to bring a lighter moment to the stage. During his pitch, Dean accidentally walked off the stage before the audience had a chance to ask questions. However, he quickly returned, making a joke about the slip-up. He said, “I think it actually made it even better when I came back on—it gave it a bit of a comedy style and allowed me to crack a joke.”

What nickname has stuck for Dean Franklin?

After the show, Dean Franklin became known by the affectionate nickname “Daddy Cool,” which has stuck beyond the finale. Dean confirmed that the nickname is now “here to stay,” reflecting his fun-loving and approachable nature throughout the competition.

What’s next for Dean Franklin after his Apprentice victory?

With his victory in The Apprentice 2025, Dean Franklin is looking forward to building on his success. He plans to utilise the £250,000 investment to help ADL Airconditioning expand, bringing in new staff, upgrading equipment, and increasing the business’s capacity. “We’ve got new vehicles arriving, and we’ve had some new engineers starting already,” Dean shared, indicating the next steps in the growth of his business.

This victory marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Dean Franklin and ADL Airconditioning, as he steps into the role of Lord Sugar’s business partner and looks ahead to further success.