The BBC have replaced Sir Alan Sugar’s right hand woman, Margaret Mountford with Karren Brady .

Mountford announced her decision to leave The Apprentice during the last series of the show, claiming that she wanted to dedicate more time to academic studies.

Brady is currently the chief executive of Birmingham City Football Club and is already familiar with the show, having been chosen as team leader on a celebrity version back in March 2006. She also takes part in the interview round of each series, putting contestants through their paces and reporting back to Sir Alan.

“Lord Sugar has decided to appoint Karren Brady, who has appeared in The Apprentice before,” a Talkback Thames spokeswoman said.