Producer / distributor takes minority stake in Mothership

BBC Studios has taken a minority stake in Kelly Webb-Lamb’s unscripted start-up, Mothership.

The BBC’s commercial arm has taken a 25% stake in the business, established earlier this month by the former Channel 4 deputy director of programmes to create global formats and ideas of scale.

Several projects are in advanced funded development, with BBCS taking first- look global distribution and format rights to its slate.

Webb-Lamb set Mothership up with a senior team which includes former C4 commissioning editors Gilly Greenslade and Charlotte Desai and head of production Gudren Claire.

She said that for some members of her team, partnering with BBCS feels like “coming home”.

Director of programmes Greenslade was previously series producer on Hospital for BBC2, and has credits including The Apprentice, while creative director Desai previously worked in the corporation’s factual team with credits including Trouble at the Top, When Michael Portillo Became a Single Mum, and films in the Wonderland strand.

BBC Studios Productions’ chief executive Ralph Lee said: “Kelly is highly sought-after creative leader who has assembled a team around her that has a formidable pedigree in hit shows and formats in a highly competitive field.

“It is a true testament to their talent and potential that within only a short period of time, Mothership has developed a slate that is brimming with ideas that we believe will appeal to both UK and international broadcasters and platforms.”

Webb-Lamb added: “We’ve been so impressed with the BBCS team and are really looking forward to working with them.”

Mothership makes up a trio of unscripted companies with minority investment from BBCS alongside Expectation and Curve Media.

Its other interests are scripted – with full ownership of Lookout Point (Gentleman Jack), Baby Cow Productions (Chivalry), House Productions (Sherwood), Clerkenwell Films (The Birth of Daniel F Harris, The End of the F**king World) and Sid Gentle Films (Killing Eve), as well as minority stakes in Moonage, Various Artists Limited, Firebird Pictures and Boffola Pictures.