Former Apprentice winner Dr Leah Totton on surviving the boardroom, motherhood and safer beauty treatments
WORDS: JEN PHARO PICTURES: GETTY IMAGES
DREAM JOB
Ten years after winning The Apprentice, Dr Leah Totton and her business partner Lord Sugar are still a dream team, sharing a multimillion-pound business.
With three Dr Leah Clinics up and running as well as her own skincare range, the Northern Irish medic credits the show – and Lord Sugar – with making her dreams come true.
“The Apprentice changed my life because it gave me the opportunity to see my vision and my business plan become a reality,” says Leah, 35, who offers everything from one-stitch facelifts to bum sculpting jabs. “I couldn’t have realised that dream and my vision without the backing of Alan Sugar.”
Not only has Leah built a business that turns over nearly £3 million a year, she’s also now mum to gorgeous one-year-old Lilah with her partner, professional golfer Justin Harding. “Lilah is absolutely adorable,” smiles Leah. “She’s the light of my life.”
Running your own business can make it hard to take maternity leave. But, luckily, when Leah needed to step away, Lord Sugar organised her maternity cover and even lent her his top man to make sure she could enjoy the baby bubble without worrying about work.
“Alan Sugar’s right-hand man stepped into the managing director role while I was on maternity so it was fine,” explains Leah. “That’s the other thing that comes with winning The Apprentice and working with Lord Sugar, the whole background team, the finance team, the business advisors, they’re all amazing.”
Leah enjoyed five months of leave before making a slow phased return. Now she’s back at work four days a week. Of course, Lord Sugar isn’t Leah’s only support – partner Justin also took time off work to support her and help raise Lilah.
“Like every mum will experience when going back to work after maternity leave, it’s a balancing act,” says Leah. “My partner took a year out of work so that helped in order to allow me to go back to work.”
He might have a reputation for being brusque on The Apprentice – which returned for a new series last week – but Lord Sugar, 76, has a softer side, says Leah.
“I’ve worked with him for such a long time and he’s a real family man,” says Leah. “I don’t know if that side of him comes across as much on the show but he is very
