BBC Worldwide names indies chief

BBC Worldwide has upped Matt Garside to director of independent production, and he will now oversee its growing array of deals with indie producers.

Garside has been promoted from head of strategy at Worldwide, the commercial arm of UK pubcaster the BBC.

In his new role he will manage the existing deals Worldwide has with indies – it currently has equity stakes in 16 prodcos – as well as leading negotiations on upcoming investments.

Having previously pulled back from indie investments, the company been actively buying into prodcos over the past 18 months. Worldwide now has stakes in prodcos including Lookout Point, 72 Films, Two Cities and Mighty Productions.

Garside has been with the BBC for a decade, most recently in the strategy role. He has also been head of commercial and business affairs at the main BBC operation, head of planning, and a senior advisor for iPlayer

In his new role he will report into BBCWW’s chief content officer, Helen Jackson, and will sit on the content board.

Jackson said: “Matt has impressed everyone at BBC Worldwide who has come into contact with him over the last year. He is blessed with that rare quality of a brilliantly strategic business mind coupled with an incredibly warm and collaborative personality.”

Garside said: “Being a great champion and global partner for the best of British creatives is at the heart of BBC Worldwide’s strategy, so the opportunity to play a part in them fulfilling their creative and commercial potential is incredibly exciting.”