Workerbee Invests in Wrexham-Based Ty’r Ddraig

Workerbee Group is backing the new northeast Wales-based production label Ty’r Ddraig, which will focus on producing high-volume popular factual series and features.

The deal marks the first major production label investment by Workerbee Group since announcing its expansion plans to invest and forge creative partnerships in the north of England and Wales last year. Wrexham native Ben Smith is behind the venture.

An experienced TV creative, Smith has produced programs out of the northwest for over 20 years, working in-house for the BBC and ITV, as well as indies including Red Sauce, Shiver, True North and Workerbee (where he was head of development).

Rick Murray, CEO of Workerbee Group, said: “We know what a huge talent Ben is, so jumped at the opportunity to invest in his Welsh label. Traditionally, Cardiff has attracted the most investment, but with its strong links to the fast-growing TV industry in the northwest of England, it feels like northeast Wales is ready to have its moment in the limelight. Supporting emerging, out-of-London companies was what the Workerbee Group was set up to do, and this is the first of many deals to do just that.”

Smith added: “The idea of building something so significant in my hometown is a lifelong dream. Our goal is to work with the existing local production community and higher education to build an indie North East Wales can be proud of. From the get-go, we have plans to establish a number of apprenticeships at Ty’r Ddraig, training local talent in production, audio and post. I can’t wait to get going with our exciting slate of new ideas and to start producing factual programs for the widest possible audience. We also have a number of soon-to-be-announced collaborations on network series with local companies in the region.”

Patrick Holland, CEO of Banijay UK, said: “The Growth Fund is all about empowering talent, and backing a great talent like Ben as he builds his base in north Wales makes enormous strategic and creative sense.”