Maverick, Princess execs form indie

Ben Gale, former director of programmes at the UK’s Maverick TV, and Princess Productions’ ex-head of factual Natasha Bondy have launched an independent production outfit.

London-based Little Gem will focus on factual and factual entertainment series and has a slate of funded developments under way. Gale will be MD and Bondy creative director

Gale, who left Maverick in February, has previously worked as executive producer on the first season of the BBC’s The Choir and series editor on the first run of Who Do You Think You Are?.

At Shine-owned Princess, Bondy developed shows including Ashley Banjo’s Secret Street Crew for Sky1 and Britain’s Best Bakery for ITV.

Bondy said: “After several years working for superindies, it’s very exciting to be running a true independent company. Ben and I have a long track record of making feel-good factual TV and a shared understanding of what makes great television.”

Little Gem is currently recruiting a senior executive producer.