Manchester-based production company, Workerbee, has restructured its business with senior hires and a new Managing Director and CEO.
The Banijay-owned operation has promoted Michelle Chappell to MD, as Rick Murray becomes CEO.
“After four years at Workerbee, I am delighted to be leading the teams with Rick, as we continue with our ambitious plans for the business,” said Chappell.
“We are passionate about working with the best producers and directors in the business and this new structure reflects our pursuit of quality in our programmes.”
It has also recruited Ben Mitchell as Creative Director. He joins from BBC Studios, where he’s currently Creative Director of Popular Factual.
The moves come as the company restructures itself into 2 distinct business operations, “Films” and “Formats” in order to grow its client base in the UK and US.
Films will be led by Director, Benjamin Hirsch who’s behind a number of its recent shows including Janet Jackson (Sky, Lifetime and A+E) and Bruno Vs Tyson (Sky).
“Creating these two divisions within the company gives us focus and purpose as we continue to build the team,” said Rick Murray, Workerbee CEO.
“I’m thrilled Ben is joining us to take our factual entertainment slate to new levels and thanks to the recent success of Benjamin Hirsch’s work, we are growing a team of talented and brilliant documentary makers in Manchester. These are exciting times, and with Michelle as MD of the core business, we are well positioned for a new era of growth. We’ve come a long way from the early days of two desks and a photocopier.”
The Formats operation will focus on factual entertainment an features, following on from its series The Bridge (Channel 4) and Idris Elba’s Fight School (BBC Two).
Holly Davies joins as Head of Development, Formats and will work closely with Ben Mitchell in growing this slate.
Prior to BBC Studios, Ben was Director of Programmes at Boundless, he’s also been Head of Popular Factual at Shine, which is another Banijay UK company. His credits include 60 Days on the Streets, Love in the Countryside, Grand Designs, The Island & Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls (C4), Undercover Boss and Shipwrecked.
He’ll take up his position in the New Year.
