In a landmark move for one of British television’s most famous business partnerships, Tom Pellereau has successfully bought out Lord Alan Sugar’s stake in Styl Pro. This strategic buyout, confirmed in December 2025, returns the pioneering beauty-tech company to 100% founder ownership after 14 years of shared growth. Consequently, it closes a significant chapter in the history of BBC’s The Apprentice and signals a new era of independent expansion for the brand.
Tom Pellereau Secures Landmark Styl Pro Buyout
The financial terms of the transaction remain confidential. However, the deal’s structure sees Pellereau acquiring Lord Sugar’s 50% equity share. Originally, Lord Sugar invested £250,000 for that half-share in 2011, following Pellereau’s victory in the seventh series of The Apprentice. This partnership represented a pivotal shift for the show. Previously, winners received a salaried role within Lord Sugar’s conglomerate. The Pellereau deal inaugurated the modern equity investment model that continues today.
Styl Pro has since evolved into a major player in the UK’s electrical beauty technology sector. The company is renowned for its innovative, problem-solving devices. Its product lineup includes popular items like automated makeup brush cleaners and advanced skincare tools. These products have driven consistent growth, establishing Styl Pro as a household name in beauty tech.
The Evolution of a Fourteen-Year Partnership
Lord Sugar characterized the buyout as a natural and timely progression. He released a statement praising Pellereau’s journey from inventor to business leader. “When I first met Tom, he was a naïve inventor with ideas and drive, but he desperately needed my business help,” Lord Sugar remarked. “He has gone on to build one of the UK’s fastest-selling electrical beauty-tech brands. It’s now the right time to part ways and allow Tom and his team to take the company to new heights.”
Pellereau echoed this sentiment of mutual respect and logical evolution. He expressed profound gratitude for Lord Sugar’s mentorship while framing the buyout as the next step. “I will always be so grateful for the investment Lord Sugar made, and the potential he saw in me and my inventions,” Pellereau stated. “His time, knowledge and guidance have been invaluable. While now is the right time to regain full ownership of my business, I look back on the amazing journey we’ve taken together over the last 14 years with deep gratitude.”
Context and Impact on The Apprentice Legacy
This buyout is arguably the most significant conclusion to an Apprentice partnership to date. It provides a complete case study of the show’s investment model: launch, growth, and successful exit. The partnership’s longevity and ultimate friendly dissolution serve as a powerful narrative for the series. It demonstrates that the show can foster genuine, long-term business success stories beyond the television screen.
Analysts view this move as a positive signal for founder-led businesses. Regaining full control often allows for more agile decision-making and a refocused strategic vision. For Styl Pro, this likely means accelerated product development and potential international market expansion under Pellereau’s sole direction.
Styl Pro’s Market Position and Future Trajectory
Under the joint leadership, Styl Pro carved a strong niche in the competitive beauty technology market. The brand successfully identified and solved specific consumer pain points, such as hygiene concerns with makeup tools. This focus on practical innovation has been central to its growth. The company will continue operating with Pellereau as Founder and Chief Executive, ensuring leadership continuity.
The beauty tech sector is projected for robust growth through the late 2020s. Key consumer trends driving this include:
- At-Home Professional Treatments: Demand for salon-quality results from home devices.
- Hygiene and Sanitization: Post-pandemic focus on clean beauty tools.
- Personalization: Technology offering tailored skincare and makeup solutions.
- Sustainability: Durable, long-life devices over disposable alternatives.
Styl Pro’s existing product portfolio aligns directly with these trends. Full founder ownership could enable faster R&D cycles to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Expert Analysis on Founder Buybacks
Business finance experts note that founder buybacks are a common milestone in successful startups. They typically occur when the business generates sufficient cash flow or secures alternative financing. This allows the founder to repurchase equity from early investors. The move often follows a period of mentorship where the investor’s operational guidance becomes less critical than the initial capital.
This transaction mirrors patterns seen in venture capital, albeit on a publicly documented, televised scale. It completes a full cycle: risk capital enables growth, value is created, and the founder ultimately reclaims control to steer the mature company’s future. The amicable nature of the split suggests a healthy financial position for Styl Pro, enabling a clean transaction.
Conclusion
The buyout that sees Tom Pellereau regain full control of Styl Pro from Lord Sugar marks a definitive and successful endpoint to a unique business partnership. It validates the equity model of The Apprentice and highlights Pellereau’s growth from reality TV winner to established business leader. As Styl Pro enters its next chapter as a fully founder-owned company, the industry will watch closely. The business is now poised to leverage its market strength and innovative heritage for independent growth under Tom Pellereau’s singular vision.
FAQs
Q1: How much did Tom Pellereau pay to buy out Lord Sugar?
The financial terms of the buyout have not been publicly disclosed. The original investment in 2011 was £250,000 for a 50% stake.
Q2: What does Tom Pellereau do now?
Tom Pellereau remains the Founder and Chief Executive of Styl Pro. He will now own 100% of the company following the buyout of Lord Sugar’s shares.
Q3: What is Styl Pro known for?
Styl Pro is a UK-based beauty-tech brand famous for inventing and selling automated makeup brush cleaners and other electrical skincare and beauty devices.
Q4: Why is this Apprentice deal so significant?
This partnership was the first of The Apprentice’s new equity investment model. Its successful 14-year run and friendly conclusion provide a complete success story for the show’s format.
Q5: Will Lord Sugar still be involved with Styl Pro?
No. The buyout agreement returns sole ownership to Tom Pellereau. Lord Sugar has stepped away entirely, allowing Pellereau and his team to lead the company independently.
