A GREENGROCER who became an apple of Lord Sugar's eye on BBC1's The Apprentice was the star presenter at the latest Basingstoke Business Expo.

Market trader Adam Corbally, (OK) who was a semi-finalist in the hit television show last year, proved to be a hit among the 400 people who attended the expo.

The business event, held at the Apollo Hotel, in Basingstoke, was organised by Memo Events, based at The Innovation Centre, on Basing View.

Managing director Matthew Larcome, said he was delighted to have secured Adam as a speaker.

“He was fantastic,” said Matthew. “Adam mainly spoke about his time on The Apprentice and the feedback I got was brilliant. A lot of people were very happy with him and he got everyone very motivated.”

The theme of Basingstoke Expo, which had 50 exhibitors at the hotel, was growth. In addition there was speed networking, one-to-one consultations and workshops at the event supported by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.

Matthew said the aim of the event was to provide business owners, entrepreneurs and start-ups with the opportunity to network with local businesses and meet industry experts, such as creative-guru Nick Burgoyne, from Southampton-based White Communications Group. “This was our third expo in Basingstoke and it's got bigger and better,” said Matthew.