Apprentice Winner Dean Franklin Under Investigation for Rogue Trading, Faces Major Fine

Dean Franklin, the recent winner of The Apprentice 2025 and now business partner of Lord Sugar, finds himself in hot water. The 34-year-old air conditioning business owner, who runs ADL, is under investigation for allegedly operating without a vital industry license for 17 months. This oversight may jeopardize his £250,000 prize from the BBC series. The crux of the issue? Franklin has been accused of lacking an F-Gas certificate required for companies handling refrigerants, a legal necessity in the industry.

Despite denying these claims and asserting he possesses all required documentation, Franklin faces potential civil prosecution from the Environment Agency, which could impose fines reaching £200,000 per breach. Throughout the controversy, ADL has received several positive customer reviews, yet the company’s licensing status has raised eyebrows, especially from Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke, who criticized the BBC for inadequate vetting processes.

Franklin, who was celebrated for his impressive £500,000 turnover and £171,000 profit during the competition, is now at a crossroads. As the investigation unfolds, the expert insight suggests that operating without a valid certificate not only raises ethical concerns but also places businesses at risk. The stakes are high, and the future of his burgeoning enterprise hangs in the balance.