Peterborough businesswoman joins the line up for BBC's The Apprentice

Khadija Kalifa, who runs Eco-Cleaning Company based at the Allia Future Business Centre, in London Road, Peterborough, will join 15 other budding entrepreneurs for the next series of the hit reality show which starts on BBC 1 on October 3 at 9pm.

Winning the gruelling contest would net her a £250,000 investment in her business and a partnership with business heavyweight Lord Sugar.

The 28-year-old mum of two, who went to Bushfield Community College in Peterborough before going on to study law at Middlesex University, has been running her own business for the last three years.

Khadija says she considers her people skills to be her best business asset.

She aims to be likeable but focused but says she can be cut-throat when required and will be hoping her skills set is enough to impress Lord Sugar and avoid hearing the dreaded words: 'You're fired'.

She says her friends would describe her as quick-witted, motivational and genuinely wanting to help others but she can have a bit of a ‘hot head’.

She said: "Whatever I say I’m going to make happen happens.

"I’m a serious Mumpreneur who doesn’t have time for timewasters and idiocy."

Khadija say her business hero is Richard Branson for ‘his success and willingness to assist others’.

However, Khadija will have some big boots to fill for the last Peterborough businessperson to star on The Apprentice was Joseph Valente who went on to win in 2015.