Patrick Spence to join Tiger Aspect

Patrick Spence, the outgoing head of drama for BBC Northern Ireland , is joining the Endemol UK subsidiary Tiger Aspect. Spence, who has just left the BBC after six years in the Northern Ireland drama job, will have a flexible deal and base his new independent production company in Tiger Aspect's Soho Square HQ in central London. He said his ambition was to produce drama series, serials and some one-off dramas. He left the BBC after being asked to relocate to Northern Ireland from London, which he declined to do for family reasons. His new enterprise does not yet have an official name. Spence said: "I like the idea of having creative autonomy, but in the current climate it is good to be backed by somebody big. I will be looking for openings for all dramas, passion projects, really." Endemol UK bought Tiger Aspect last year from US talent representation and marketing group IMG, and wish to see it develop further. Spence leaves the BBC after the critical success of Occupation, last year's drama about British troops in Basra. Diederick Santer, the outgoing executive producer of EastEnders, has also recently left the BBC to set up his own independent production company Lovely Day in partnership with Kudos, the Shine subsidiary responsible for Spooks and Ashes to Ashes. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".