Apprentices head into the Dragon's Den

PROPERTY and IT entrepreneur Shaf Rasul has named his four new apprentices.

The Edinburgh-based businessman chose Tom Mursell, William Wallace, Amanda Rofall and Fraser McLean from a list of 2,000 candidates for his year-long apprenticeship scheme.

Rasul – who stars in an online version of the BBC series Dragons' Den – said: "Young people have been hit harder than any other age group during the recession and we launched this search to give four young people their first step on to the career ladder.

"Part of the strategy will also be to mould energetic entrepreneurs who will have the ability and business acumen to go away and develop world-class businesses that will boost the Scottish economy."

The apprentices will work across Rasul's businesses, which include optical-media distribution business E-Net Computers and a venture capital investment portfolio, worth in the region of 30 million, which focuses on property, asset management and internet technology.