Fifty Fathoms’ Spence adds Tiger role

Patrick Spence, founder of Endemol Shine Group’s UK drama prodco Fifty Fathoms, is to add the director of drama position at stablemate Tiger Aspect to his role as the two companies restructure their operations.

Patrick Spence

Fifty Fathoms, established by Spence in 2010, will move alongside Tiger Aspect Drama and remain under the Endemol Shine UK umbrella.

Each company will retain their existing teams and separate identities but will combine leadership and support across production and finance.

Spence, who was MD at Fifty Fathoms, becomes director of drama at both companies and will work with Tiger Aspect MD Ben Cavey to expand its scripted slate. A new director of production will be appointed to work across both teams.

Current productions across the two companies include The Eddy for Netflix, Peaky Blinders for BBC2, The A Word for BBC1, Good Karma Hospital for ITV and Fortitude on Sky Atlantic.

Richard Johnston, CEO of Endemol Shine UK, said: “With Patrick’s incredible track record and remarkable creative vision it was a no-brainer for him to take creative responsibility for drama output across both companies.

“Tiger and Fifty Fathoms have their own unique identities and approach and this will remain the case going forward as Patrick develops their individual slates.”

Cavey added: “We are absolutely committed to making sure that Tiger Aspect and Fifty Fathoms remain at the forefront of British and International drama, and I can’t think of a better man to be leading the charge.”

Spence said the move to bring the two companies closer together “allows us to benefit in countless ways as we build for the future.”

The newly created role has been established following the exit of Tiger Aspect Drama’s co-heads Will Gould and Frith Tiplady, who revealed they would be stepping down earlier this year.

That came just months after the duo were promoted when Sophie Clarke-Jervoise revealed she would be leaving https://www.c21media.net/tiger-aspect-rejigs-mds/ the Peaky Blinders prodco after 12 years to develop her own projects.

Spence established Fifty Fathoms in 2010 under the umbrella of Tiger Aspect and Endemol Shine, having been head of drama for BBC Northern Ireland.