Banijay’s Workerbee plans acquisitions to expand in Northern England & Wales

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson producer Workerbee aims to build a “northern production powerhouse” in the UK via a strategy of acquisition, investment and creative partnerships in the North of England and Wales. 

Banijay-owned Workerbee plans to work with growing indies and both new and established talent outside of London to expand into the Workerbee Group.

The Manchester-based company will serve as an entrepreneurial and creative hub, backing up-and-coming businesses, forge new partnerships and expanding into new genre areas, focusing on the Northern regions and other under invested areas outside of the UK capital.

Workerbee CEO Rick Murray will head up the group, overseeing the strategy of acquisition and growth, identifying companies with potential and working with them to nurture and grow their businesses.

Last week, the production company, which is also behind The Bridge for Channel 4 and HBO Max, Peter Crouch: Save Our Beautiful Game for Discovery and Idris Elba’s Fight School for BBC Two, restructured its business into two divisions – films and formats – appointing BBC Studio’s Ben Mitchell a creative director as part of the reshuffle.

“The opportunity to create a group that empowers indies based in the nations and regions to reach their full potential is something I’m delighted to be tasked with,” said Murray. “Investment in talent and IP as a route to growth is what Banijay is all about and I’m delighted that they are backing me to do this in the north.  I like to think that at Workerbee we have proved that you don’t have to be based in London to think big, and now we have the infrastructure and expertise to build a portfolio of likeminded labels.”