Tim Campbell, the first winner of BBC’s The Apprentice, will return to Ealing this summer as the special guest for the 20th annual Dr John Roberts QC CBE Achievement Awards, which celebrate the achievements of young people of African and Caribbean descent across the borough.
Mr Campbell, who first attended the awards at their launch in 2005, will join students, families and school representatives at this year’s ceremony, which will take place on 12 July 2025 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Ealing Common.
Nominations are now open for students attending primary, secondary and special educational needs schools across Ealing. Past winners include Arsenal and England footballer Bukayo Saka, who won the sports category in 2017, and Tatianna Gailard, who has since qualified as a commercial pilot.
The awards, sponsored by Ealing Council and organised by Acton-based charity Descendants, highlight the achievements of students from Year 5 to Year 13 across a range of categories including academic excellence, arts, sports, entrepreneurial spirit and leadership potential.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, Margaret Noel, founder and director of Descendants, said: “This year we mark 20 years of this education achievement award. Our very first award was hosted in 2005, and our special guest was Tim Campbell, winner of the first BBC Apprentice. We have invited him and he has accepted our invitation. We have also invited the Mayor of Ealing, who has accepted our invitation.”
The seven award categories are:
- Students who excel in all areas of their education
- Students who work hard and achieve against the odds
- Students who excel in the arts
- Students who excel in sports
- Students who excel in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths)
- Students with entrepreneurial qualities
- Students who show future leadership potential
Reflecting on the awards’ legacy, Ms Noel added: “This is a special event for Descendants. Over the years we have witnessed some exceptional students of African and Caribbean descent, both primary, special education needs, secondary and sixth form, being celebrated at our awards ceremony.
“We have awarded young people like footballer Bukayo Saka, who has gone on to be a world-class footballer. We have celebrated a young woman who has become a commercial pilot. We have celebrated young people who have excelled in their education, from Oxford, Cambridge, and as close as The University of West London. From becoming doctors, nurses, actors, singers and business entrepreneurs, our young people are striving and achieving, sometimes against many odds.”
Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact their schools to nominate pupils. More information and how to nominate can be found here.
