Trump taps Mark Burnett, creator of Survivor and The Apprentice, as special UK envoy
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Emmy Award winner Mark Burnett, 64, was born in London and is now a naturalised US citizen. He is the man behind TV juggernauts Survivor and The Apprentice.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON – US President-elect Donald Trump named Mr Mark Burnett – the man who created the television show The Apprentice that helped catapult him to the presidency – as a special envoy to the United Kingdom.
“With a distinguished career in television production and business, Mark brings a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition to this important role,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Dec 21.
The position of special envoy to the UK does not currently exist. Trump has already named investment banker Warren Stephens as his ambassador to the UK, a highly coveted diplomatic post that usually goes to top campaign donors.
It is also unusual because special envoys are usually sent to trouble spots. Trump has named special envoys to the Middle East and Ukraine, and tapped former US ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell as a high-level envoy for “hot spots” like Venezuela and North Korea.
AFP reported that the role does not need Senate confirmation.
Trump said Mr Burnett’s role would be to “enhance diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities and cultural exchanges”.
Mr Burnett, 64, was born in London and is now a naturalised US citizen.
The Emmy Award winner is the creator of Survivor, the reality competition series that became a US television juggernaut after its premiere in 2000. He has also produced other hit shows, including Shark Tank and The Voice.
He also served as chairman of MGM Worldwide Television Group from 2018 to 2022.
His biggest success was with The Apprentice, the American reality programme that aired on NBC under various formats for 15 seasons beginning in 2004.
The show featured job seekers completing tasks in a competition to win favour with Trump, then a real estate mogul.
The show was widely credited with reversing Trump’s fortunes and making him a household name in the US before he announced his presidential run in 2015.
Mr Burnett with his wife, actress Roma Downey, produced the History Channel series The Bible.
It is that last project that has especially endeared him to evangelical Christians in the US, where Hollywood is often viewed as antagonistic to religion.
Mr Burnett has introduced both former president Barack Obama and Trump at the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington. BLOOMBERG, AFP
