BBC Worldwide recently announced that it will take a 25% equity stake in Left Bank Pictures, the new production company being set up by former ITV/Granada production head Andy Harries, one of the producers of The Queen.

Helen Jackson, BBC Worldwide's director of Independents, will take a seat on the Left Bank board, and BBC Worldwide gets an exclusive distribution first-look at Left Bank 's TV productions.

Left Bank will work with international partners on TV one-off films and mini-series and theatrical film projects. BBC Worldwide is the commercial subsidiary of the BBC, recently selling theatrical documentary project Earth.

Left Bank, which officially launches next month, has recruited several high-profile board members. They include ex-UK Film Council Development Fund head Jenny Borgars as head of film, Channel 4 veteran Francis Hopkinson as head of television, and Granada/ITV veteran Marigo Kehoe as head of production. Granada 's Jenna Jones will join as development executive.

Harries is the majority stake holder and managing director of the new outfit.

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