James McQuillan

A brief introduction to James McQuillan

“It has been brilliant. Even though I didn't make the final, I learned so much,” he said.

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James McQuillan 's biography

The Apprentice Who Can Put A Spell On You!

There's something magical about James McQuillan which makes him more than a sorcerer’s apprentice.

Unlike some of the contestants in the toughest job interview in the world he had bags of commercial management experience and sales acumen before joining the 2009 line up and has a master’s degree in economics to keep him grounded.

But it was when he threw inhibitions aside and stepped into a birthing pool to demonstrate the product at a baby show that he melted many hearts – firmly establishing himself as a popular choice for audiences of all kinds.

If he had revealed then that he had stayed on an extra year at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh to get his masters partly because he had met the girl of his dreams and that he rushes home from work for bath time with his two year old, he would have won legions more.

That's why the National Child Birth Trust have already snapped up James to star in a DVD with his wife Pauline and son Henry to help thousands of prospective dads through the traumas of pregnancy and childbirth. He is also busy writing a book giving down to earth advice for bewildered males coming to terms with maternity misery and prospective fatherhood.

It is one of the unexpected spin off's of appearing in the latest series of The Apprentice which makes James an unusual celebrity and gives him the edge as a speaker.

Naturally audiences are keen to know what it is like behind the scenes of the show but they also want to know about the man who made it through to the final stages.

The keen football fan and referee shares the disappointment of not reaching his goal and says: “When you get so close to something to miss by a couple of inches it is almost as frustrating as missing it by a long way– it's a bit like when your football team misses on penalties or you lose by a last minute goal.”

He fell at the interview hurdle and knows why he lost the race. He takes comfort from the fact that it was more of a harsh make or break interrogation process designed to excite viewers and that he was already outstanding to be selected from thousands of entries.

There was plenty of material on the cutting room floor which would have proved why he impressed Sir Alan right up to the end. He has many skills which includes exceptional sales skills, assessing supplier relationships, following business acquisition, excellent people management and team development know how.

James is employed as Head of Commercial at the UK’s largest residential broadband provider – monitoring client relationships and contracts. Colleagues rooted for him on the show and were relieved to see him return.

“Maybe I had a bit more to lose than some of the contestants and was taking a risk appearing on the programme. But if you have self belief and know you are not going to make a total idiot of yourself, it is not that big a risk.”

He enjoyed the process and enjoyed meeting and getting to know Sir Alan Sugar and has plenty to reveal about behind the scenes, what really goes on behind closed doors and what he learned about himself and others.

Speaking topics include

• Apprentice Secrets – life behind the scenes
• Lessons to be learned from The Apprentice
• Game Theory – how to alter perceptions and decision making
• Living with Disappointment
• Top 10 tips for new managers
• Economic meltdown from the business and family perspective
• The balancing act of business and family life
• Negotiation skills
• Interview disasters

"James was absolutely fantastic in the Reality TV Debate. He took everyone in Cambridge by storm - as his speech was both really well-informed and really funny. He judged the audience's mood perfectly and made arguments that were suitably cutting, but also very good-humoured, creating a great atmosphere. He held his own against PR Guru Max Clifford - where most people would have folded, showing the spirit that got him so far in The Apprentice. Everyone was wowed by how well he spoke and how kind he was - he stayed to chat to guests and shared some great stories afterwards.

Well done James - you did yourself proud when you came to Cambridge!On a personal level, it was my last debate as President, and I'm really grateful to James for helping to make the evening so special."

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