There’s networking and then there’s Apprentice Networking. It’s simple but ingenious – take a few dozen business folk, divide them into teams, give them apprentice-style tasks – so devious they’d make Sir Alan’s toes curl – sit back and watch the fun.

Episode 3’s task meant satisfying every whim and fancy of a demanding celebrity boss. How they managed to organise such an impressive array of superstars, we’ll never know.

Left to right: David Brent, Victoria Beckham, Madonna, Gordon Ramsay, Sharon Osbourne and Simon Cowell (Sir Alan Sugar had to leave for a meeting at Downing Street before the photoshoot).

First off, the teams had a game of 20 questions to guess who their boss was for the evening. Then they had to negotiate the best possible price for their celeb’s A-List shopping list.

Simon Cowell was launching a new girl band and his needs included: somewhere to land his private jet, Botox treatment and nostril hair trimmers. Madonna was stopping over on her sponsored walk from Hampstead to Malawi. Amongst other things, Her Madgesty had requested: macrobiotic snacks, an Ashtanga Yoga teacher and enough pairs of trainers for the rest of the trip. David Brent’s needs were a little more modest for the launch of his 80’s-themed night club: a Ford Capri, cheese and pineapple hedgehogs and 50 Space Hoppers.

Separated at birth? David Brent and Mark Anderson

Everyone got into the spirit of the evening, running around Tunbridge Wells negotiating deals. If there was ever proof that name-dropping opens doors; one team (somehow managing to keep straight faces) wangled accommodation, executive transport, Botox and a personal shopping trip, all completely free for Mr Cowell.

Points were awarded for successfully tracking down the items, coming in under budget and for the teams’ general ability to butter up their bosses (note, Sir Alan Sugar’s team probably shouldn’t have bought him pork scratchings).

Apprentice networking really breaks the mold. Not only is it a lot of fun, it was obvious that some valuable connections were being made. The next event will be in November, and with a first prize of a week for 9 in a French chalet at stake, there’s everything to play for.

Thanks once again to organisers, Sarah (Posh Spice) Cundle of Horwath Clark Whitehill and Lucy (Mrs Ozzy) Hodgson of Page Personnel for all their hard work. Also to the other judges, Mark (Brent) Anderson of Horwath Clark Whitehill, Ron (don’t call me Alan) Roser of Langton Business Services and Remedy’s very own Lisa (material girl) Casson and Jason (Gordon) Hunt, for their celebrity luvviness, and Sankeys for the venue and stunning food.

If you want to attend the next Apprentice Networking event, email Sarah.Cundle@horwath.co.uk or call her on 01892 700200.

Well I did my stint on the panel of judges at the 2nd Apprentice networking challenge on the 16th June and it was the most inspiring and hilarious networking event I’ve ever attended. 42 budding ‘apprentices’ were set a whole bunch of tasks to test body mind and spirit. Teams of six had to scour Tunbridge Wells and return with: Speldhurst sausages, a bottle of Chapel Down wine, a glass of fresh spa water and a team photograph standing next to the Dowding Memorial. They also had to complete two quizzes; one on the history of Tunbridge Wells and a cryptic quiz testing their knowledge of local businesses.

One of the most fascinating parts of the evening was watching team members using their negotiation skills. Each team was given a photograph of a Tag Heuer watch and a little bit of information on the model. They all had a ten minute appointment at the very upmarket Wessex Pawnbroking & Finance in Grosvenor Road, where they had to sell it for the highest possible price. Once in the shop, they were given the actual watch to inspect for a couple of minutes before turning on the charm as if they were a real punter. Having observed all of the negotiations, here are my tips should you ever find yourself having to flog the family jewels to pay the mortgage:

1) If you go in high, stay high. Most teams opened negotiations at around the £1,000 mark. The owner immediately came back with £250, which flummoxed everyone. Pretty much to a man, they all went back with a figure of £400 and from then on in, they were putty in the pawnbroker’s hands.

2) Don’t be afraid to turn on the waterworks. We’re all human and the back story really helped. One team member’s Grandma had ‘bought it for him just before passing away’, another was ‘moving house after going through a marriage break-up’. It seemed that the better the sob story, the easier it was to get a good price.

3) Do your homework. One team had taken their photograph to another jewellery store and had come to the pawnbrokers armed with a written independent valuation! They used this to secure the highest price and eventually won the whole challenge.

After completing all of these tasks, the teams then had to scurry back for one final challenge; to create a strapline and picture/symbol for Tunbridge Wells. With a deadline of just 15 minutes, the results were surprisingly good. One close contender was ‘Aspire to the Spa Life’ with the image of a Royal Crest, but the winner just had the edge:

Well done to all the team members, guest judges Ron Roser (sitting) of Langton Business Services and Steve Fuller of Wessex Pawnbroking and Finance (who left before the photo opportunity), and organisers Sarah Cundle (front) of Horwath Clarke Whitehill and Lucy Hodgson (middle) of Page Personnel (I’m the one at the back who forgot to say ‘cheese’).