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Chisola Chitambala

Chisola Chitambala

2025 BBC The Apprentice Final 5 Candidate, Co-Founder of CB Virtual Assistant and Keynote Speaker

Chisola Chitambala is an Essex-based entrepreneur, business owner, and inspiring speaker who recently finished fourth on the 2025 edition of The BBC's Apprentice UK. She is the co-founder of CB Virtual Assistant, a company providing remote operational, administrative, and project support to entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, and SMEs across a range of industries.

But Chisola’s career path wasn’t straightforward and that’s exactly what makes her story so powerful and relatable for young people. From failing her A-Levels to starting out in hospitality at Nando’s, she went on to become a the youngest ever regional trainer at Nando's head office, train as a paediatric nurse before earning an MBA, and launching her own business all whilst managing chronic migraine. Her career spans leadership roles in healthcare, tech, and hospitality, showing how success doesn’t require a linear path and that setbacks can be a setup for something greater.

Chisola now speaks regularly at schools, colleges, and universities, sharing her personal story of resilience, reinvention, and entrepreneurship. Her talks are motivational, practical, and deeply encouraging for students navigating decisions about their future. She helps them understand that:

You don’t need to have it all figured out at 16 or 18

Exam results aren’t the only measure of your potential

You can bounce back from failure and change direction

Networking and giving your best effort can open unexpected doors

Entrepreneurship is an option and can start with skills they already have

Whether speaking on career days, entrepreneurship panels, or for empowerment events, Chisola brings warmth, energy, and authenticity to every talk. Her message is especially impactful for students who may feel under pressure, unsure of their path, or lacking confidence. She shows them what’s possible with determination, self-belief, and the courage to evolve.

Chisola is also an Ambassador for The Migraine Trust and a Patron of the National Diversity Awards, using her platform to advocate for greater awareness, equity, and inclusion across business, health, and education.

Testimonials from Teachers

"Brilliant session earlier today at Birmingham City Business School with Chisola Chitambala from the current season of ‘The Apprentice’ sharing so much wisdom with some of our final year students, marking a last-minute whistle stop tour of Birmingham. A few gems I gleaned from her start-up experience:

  • Encouraging students to speak up, share ideas & ask questions. You never know where it will lead!
  • Ideas around growth and recruiting strategies, the best people to aid growth
  • Tips & tricks to managing cash flow…
  • Being careful to look after your own health & wellbeing as it impacts the businesses health if you don’t!"
– Dr Charlotte Carey, Associate Professor of Digital Marketing, Birmingham City University

"Chisola's talk was excellent. The atmosphere was very positive and Chisola was very engaging - she covered exactly the kind of things we're looking for from an external speaker."


– Dr James Fowler, MBA Director, Deputy Education Director, Essex Business School

"Thank you ever so much for yesterday – there has been a buzz about the school ever since she left."

– Lauren Peach, Assistant Headteacher, Moulsham High School

Speaker File

Location

Essex

Topics

  • Enterprise
  • Careers
  • New Speakers
  • Women
  • Assemblies and Celebrations Events
  • Well-being
  • Conference

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