Foysol Choudhury Congratulates Anisa Khan, the First Finalist of Bengali-descent on BBC’s The Apprentice

Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, congratulates Anisa Khan, a 26-year-old entrepreneur who has made history as the first finalist of Bengali descent to appear on BBC’s The Apprentice.

She is the owner of Bombay Pizza, an Indian-Italian fusion pizza company in London. She identifies as a British-Bangladeshi woman and her heritage plays a significant role in her business and her identity.

She is a national Kabaddi player from London and has founded Bombay Pizza with the plan to redefine success with the incorporation of South Asian influence.

As the first finalist of Bengali descent, she blends her cultural pride into her work, representing her passion for food, family, and culture.

The Apprentice is one of the UK’s most influential reality TV shows, showcasing ambitious entrepreneurs competing for a business investment from Lord Alan Sugar.

Over nearly two decades, it has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring viewers with high-stakes challenges, strategic decision-making, and entrepreneurial ambition.

The 2025 finale, which aired on Thursday, April 17, drew around 3.5 million viewers, with Dean Franklin, founder of ADL Air Conditioning, named Lord Sugar’s newest business partner.

Since 2020, Anisa has been operating Bombay Pizza from a dark kitchen in Wallington, Sutton, crafting hand-crafted pizzas inspired by South Asian flavours.

Due to high demand, Bombay Pizza currently offers in-person orders only, but Anisa recently launched Bombay Pizza by Post, a nationwide delivery service.

Last month’s postal orders sold out quickly, but customers can sign up for the mailing list to be the first to know when they’re back in stock. In celebration of her Apprentice journey, Anisa has introduced a special edition of Apprentice-inspired pizzas on Bombay Pizza by Post, each named after one of the final five contestants.

‘The Anisa’ features Bengali chicken naga, peppers, red onions, and mozzarella on a spicy masala base—bringing the heat in true Apprentice fashion.

Anisa approached The Apprentice with confidence and ambition, believing in the immense potential of Bombay Pizza’s unique concept and its overwhelmingly positive reception.

Reflecting on her time on the show, she shared, “I didn’t realise how resilient I was as a person. I’m someone that if I have a goal, I’ll make it happen.”

Over 12 gruelling weeks, she showcased determination and drive, making her one of the standout contenders of the season.

In the series finale, Anisa finished as runner-up. She remains undeterred, leveraging her experience and connections to propel Bombay Pizza to even greater heights. This is truly a world-class achievement and has given a sense of pride to the Bangladeshi and South Asian community in the UK. For those eager to taste the flavours that took her so far, a visit to Bombay Pizza in Wallington, London is a must.

Commenting, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Anisa has brought great pride to the Bangladeshi community in Scotland and throughout the UK.

“Her contemporary ideas and fusion of South Asian flavour and Italian cuisine have been a wonderful addition to the restaurant sector in London.

“I am proud to call her father, Mr. Yawar Khan, a dear friend and I look forward to witnessing the success of her business continue.”

Spotlight on Edinburgh as Business Gateway launch television campaign

Business Gateway, Scotland’s national business support service, is putting the spotlight on rural and urban businesses as part of its new TV campaign which features businesses from both Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders.

The campaign will highlight Business Gateway’s extensive programme of support to help business owners, including those getting ready to reopen as restrictions ease.  

This support includes the chance for businesses to put their questions directly to industry partners such as the Federation of Scottish Businesses, VisitScotland and the Scottish Retail Consortium through a series of panel webinars. These are designed to help businesses get to grips with the guidance and requirements they will need to follow as they look ahead to reopening safely.  

Alongside these, a new series of national webinars covering key topics like HR, business strategy, marketing on a budget, mental health and wellbeing, and more will also launch this month. And business owners are also encouraged to reach out to their local Business Gateway office online where virtual, specialist 1:1 support from an adviser remains available. 

To promote the campaign, Business Gateway is showcasing businesses that have benefited from Business Gateway support during the crisis.   

Alex Feechan, founder and CEO of FINDRA Clothing, received start-upsupport from Business Gateway when she first launched her business.

Through the Business Gateway team, she was signposted to South of Scotland Enterprise and was able to access a grant through DigitalBoost, Business Gateway’s digital upskilling programme. This grant has enabled Alex to revise FINDRA’s ordering and CRM system.

 

Alex said: “I worked with Business Gateway when I first launched my business and they were a fantastic source of support, so I knew who to turn to when I decided to overhaul and update my business’s website.  

“This investment was only possible through the DigitalBoost programme. Thanks to the grant, I am confident that FINDRA customers can now really enjoy the best online ordering experience when they purchase our products.” 

Through DigitalBoost, businesses can access a variety of free support and resources including includes webinars, a digital health check, 1:1 support from a digital expert, online tutorials, and practical guides on topics including social media, cyber resilience, data analytics, digital marketing strategy and e-commerce. 

Edinburgh based business, eteaket, is also featured as they prepare to reopen.  

Founder Erica Moore said: “The whole team at eteaket are excited to get back to delighting customers in our tearoom and tea shop. We can’t wait to catch up with our regulars and to see our wholesale tea business ramp up.  

“We have lots of exciting new ideas planned for this year which are all based around our Tea in Mind system which lets customers choose teas based on how they are feeling. Freeing your mind while your tea brews is the perfect way to unwind. Come and join in the fun!” 

Hugh Lightbody, Chief Officer at Business Gateway, said: “As lockdown restrictions begin to lift, businesses will be focused on how they can adapt and strengthen their operations. Our campaign is designed to help them do this, ensuring they are aware of the variety of local and online support available to them, no matter their size, location or sector.”  

The television advert is set to air from 3rd May.   

For more information about how Business Gateway can help you and your business, please visit: https://www.bgateway.com/