I don't think there's any doubt that the writers partly-based the character on Alan Sugar, that was apparent to me immediately and I've never even seen The Apprentice. I wonder what Alan thinks about it?

I thought Trevor Eve was just giving his standard self made man with a temper and dodgy past performance. It got better as the series progressed, or perhaps there was just limited screen time for the character to impose on the audience. To be honest when he turned up doing what he does I almost gave up on the series but I'm glad I didn't.

Well it was alluded to be a diamond geezer like Sugar.
Although Sugar is more academically educated than he lets on.
It's that man again!!

Frankie C/Sir Philip starting out in a market stall was mentioned in episode three.
remember: tv is called PROGRAMMING, items of news are STORIES

Definitely! Thought exactly the same as soon as he started out with that "geezer" voice. Plus, they keep showing The Shard in the background, just the same as in The Apprentice. I'm quite surprised he's not mentioned that he started off on a market stall yet!