Trump picks Apprentice producer as UK envoy | Global News Avenue

US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed British TV executive Mark Burnett, a producer on The Apprentice, as his special envoy to the UK.

Trump said he was “extremely honored” to choose his former colleague for the post, which is separate from that of US ambassador to the UK.

“Mark will work to strengthen diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest including trade, investment opportunities and cultural exchanges,” he added.

“I am deeply honored to serve the United States of America and President Trump as President Trump’s Special Envoy to the United Kingdom,” Burnett said in a statement.

He created “The Apprentice” and co-produced a series of other reality television shows, winning 12 Emmy Awards.

“Mark has had a distinguished career in television production and business, and he brings unique diplomatic acumen and international recognition to this important role,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday.

President-elect taking office next month Has chosen billionaire donor Warren Stephens as his ambassador to the UK. While Stephens’ nomination requires U.S. Senate confirmation, Burnett’s role does not require such approval.

Burnett, 64, grew up in Essex and served as a paratrooper in the Army before moving to the United States in 1982, when he was 22.

He went on to work for MGM and became a prominent figure in reality television.

In addition to creating and producing The Apprentice, Burnett has created such formats as Survivor, The Voice and Shark Tank (the U.S. version of Dragons Den).

From 2008-15, he starred in “The Apprentice,” which propelled real estate developer Trump to new heights of fame.

Burnett became president of MGM Television in December 2015, but resigned after Amazon acquired the studio in 2022.

He played a role in planning Trump’s first inauguration in 2017.

Burnett told the BBC in 2010 that Trump was “fearless” and “a tall, strong tough guy.”

“He’s a very, very down-to-earth regular guy, he’s a very, very loyal friend and, as I’ve seen with a lot of other people, he’s not the kind of enemy you want,” Burnett said.

Trump first ran for president as the Republican nominee in 2016, then plunged into crisis after tapes emerged of him telling Hollywood host Billy Bush that “when you’re a star, you can do anything to women.”

Burnett issued a statement at the time denying that he was a Trump supporter.

“Furthermore, my wife and I refuse to accept the hatred, division and misogyny that were a very unfortunate part of his campaign,” he said. Burnett is married to Londonderry-born actress Roma Downey.

Another former producer of “The Apprentice” later claimed that Trump was heard making “worse” remarks on a recording of the show.

But Burnett has resisted calls to release all of Trump’s clips, saying he was unable to do so and citing “various contractual and legal requirements.”