Apprentice winner Dean Franklin 'not aware' of licence breach

Apprentice winner Dean Franklin 'not aware' of licence breach

Dean Franklin, the recent winner of The Apprentice 2025, dismissed reports of his air conditioning company operating without the appropriate license, stating that he was not informed of any ongoing investigation by the Environment Agency. The 35-year-old father-of-two from Hornchurch, east London, was declared the champion of the popular BBC reality show by Lord Alan Sugar on April 17th.

According to The Sun newspaper, Franklin’s firm was under scrutiny for allegedly not possessing an F-gas certificate for 17 months, a requirement set by the Environment Agency. However, Franklin refuted these claims, asserting that he has been F-gas registered since 2014. In a statement to BBC Essex, he mentioned, “I would not always trust everything you read in the papers.”

F-gases, also known as fluorinated greenhouse gases, are closely monitored by the Environment Agency, and individuals or companies dealing with them are mandated to hold the necessary qualifications. National media coverage suggested that Franklin’s company, ADL, could face a hefty fine of £200,000 if found in violation of the regulations. An Environment Agency spokesperson reiterated the seriousness of working with F-gas without proper certification and mentioned an ongoing investigation into the matter.

Despite the allegations and media attention, Franklin shared his perspective on the issue during a special feature on BBC Essex, which offered an insider’s view of the latest season of The Apprentice. The program highlighted candidates from the county, including Chisola Chitambala, Liam Snellin, and Emma Rothwell, providing an interesting glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the show

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More