Workerbee boss praises students for company's growth
Tuesday 5 March 2019
WORKERBEE TV boss Rick Murray has praised Salford graduates for helping the company almost double in size.
Workerbee, formerly known as Endemol Shine North, produced 74 hours of television for a range of global platforms last year, among them: Idris Elba: King Of Speed (BBC 2), The Big NHS Singalong Live (ITV), Inside Bentley (C4), Armed and Deadly: Police UK (C5), Scrapyard Supercar (National Geographic), Second Chance Dress (TLC).
Part of its success, according to Murray is its eye for talent, and notably a relationship with the University of Salford which the CEO describes as a “remarkable conveyor-belt of talent”.
By teaming up with former BBC and ITV producer Lyndon Saunders, now a lecturer at the university, Murray has not only employed graduates but gives students the chance to work on their development team as part of their course.
Out-of-Manchester
Rick Murray said: “‘There has never been more demand for content made-out-of-Manchester and so the ability to get our hands on the most promising Salford graduates has helped Workerbee almost double in size in the last 18 months.
“Around 10% of our workforce have come from the Broadcast Media department at Salford’s MediaCityUK campus, where they have industry standard production facilities.”
“We have no hesitation in throwing them in right at the deep-end: and it’s been a pleasure to watch them relish the opportunities and become key players in our fast-growing business.’
Thanks to this, Salford’s current students on the Masters in Media Production are now getting the chance to brainstorm with and pitch to Workerbee as part of their course, and the feedback from the company is part of their assessment.
Job in industry
It’s the perfect preparation for a job in the industry, says Lyndon Saunders: "This isn't an industry to give people opportunities who don't fully deserve them and so the number of Salford students who've impressed Workerbee is testament to the calibre of our graduates.
“Former students are now coming back as Workerbee employees and creating opportunities for the current cohort.
Among the rising stars is student Matea Petrovic, who said: “Workerbee is an amazing opportunity for students to connect with the TV industry while studying. Working with Workerbee through our module helps me formulating my ideas because it gives another layer of preparation for the "real world" after my Master’s degree and motivation to study even harder.”
IMAGE: L-R: Salford graduates turned Workerbees: David Alexander, Anne-Marie Grayston, Andrew Williamson, Anna Hurst, James Hilditch, Basilio Longo and Cheryl Chinyenze.
Find out more
Gareth Hollyman, Senior Press & PR Officer (Science)
0161 295 6895 g.b.hollyman@salford.ac.uk
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