A REGIONAL employment law expert has helped the runner-up in The Apprentice find her way from the bakery to the boardroom.

Helen Milligan turned to Paul McGowan, founder of specialist law firm Collingwood Legal, for help with some of the contractual work around her appearance on the hit BBC1 show, as well as providing general advice as the programme progressed.

Viewers saw Milligan – who has a house in Stocksfield, Northumberland – establish a reputation for cool- headed efficiency and organisational excellence as she won a record 10 out of 11 tasks in the run up to the show’s final.

But she narrowly missed out on Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment when he instead chose inventor Tom Pellereau as his new business partner.

Since the final was broadcast, she has returned to her employer Greggs plc, having secured a promotion to become the company’s head of retail in the South East.

She says: “The last few months have been an extraordinary time for me, and having Paul’s advice available as the programme has moved through its various stages has been extremely useful and reassuring.

“Collingwood has displayed a suitably entrepreneurial approach to this project, and their professionalism very much matched the ethos of the show.”

Collingwood Legal is a relationship-based practice which specialises in employment law, and works with senior executives in well-known public and private sector organisations, both across the North East and elsewhere in the UK.

Paul McGowan said: “Working so closely with Helen during her time on The Apprentice has been a fascinating experience.

“It was clear from both watching the programme and dealing with her directly that she is an extremely talented, driven individual who has great things ahead of her.

“Providing ongoing advice and support to senior personnel like this is a core part of the work we do.”