His reputation precedes him: a titan of business, an intimidating presence— and one of the most formidable job interviewers to grace British television.

Yet, beyond the veneer of his fearsome persona lies a story of resilience, compassion and unwavering determination.

Claude has become synonymous with the gruelling — and downright scary — interrogation of aspiring entrepreneurs on hit BBC One series The Apprentice, a role that has catapulted him into the spotlight over the past 15 or so years.

And, while he concedes that his style can be frightening, Claude is quick to point out: “The interviews are not normal interviews.

“The objective I have is to check their CVs and, more importantly, analyse their business plans to make sure they represent viable businesses that I can recommend to Alan Sugar.”

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