Banijay UK indie Workerbee has restructured into formats and films divisions and outlined plans to invest in nations and regions indies and talent.
The Manchester-based company has hired BBC Studios factual head Ben Mitchell as creative director, succeeding Michelle Chappell, who becomes managing director.
Mitchell, who has also worked in popular factual roles for Shine TV and Naked, will oversee the formats arm, with BBCS executive producer Holly Davies joining as head of development for the division.
They will be tasked with delivering the next generation of unscripted hits to join established titles such as Channel 4/HBO Max format The Bridge and BBC2 series Idris Elba’s Fight School.
Benjamin Hirsch, a director whose credits include Sky’s Bruno vs Tyson and A+E Networks’ Janet, heads up the films division.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Broadcast, chief executive Rick Murray detailed his investment plans.
Banijay UK has handed Workerbee funds to be allocated in a range of ways, from taking majority stakes in indies to umbrella deals with creative talent across the unscripted genres, initially in Manchester and the north.
“Workerbee has tried to create IP that has been developed and produced locally rather than lifted and shifted from London. So, the elevator pitch was let’s do the same for M&A activity,” he said.
“Traditionally M&A activity has taken place in London and we are trying to buck that trend.”
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