Each week we'll be asking people from all parts of the media industry - from channel controllers to catering staff, directors to digital technicians - to tell us about themselves and their job.

This week it's the turn of Ben Gordon, Spun Gold TV's head of development. A former solicitor, Ben spent several years working at city law firms before moving to television in the early noughties. He joined Carlton TV working on factual entertainment, stayed on at ITV when it reformed in 2004, and has since worked with Leopard Films and Lion Television as a freelance producer.

Name
Ben Gordon

Job Title
Head of development, Spun Gold TV

Age
35

Lives
Maida Vale, London

In the role since
August 2005

Responsibilities
Managing the company’s development output, ensuring a regular supply of ideas catering for all the channels. Shaping those ideas and pitching them to commissioners in meetings and via e-mail and phone. Writing proposals and driving short listed ideas through to commission. General overseeing - and sometimes exec producing – of those projects that come to fruition.

Best thing about your job
Having a completely free rein to be creative.

Worst thing about your job
The crushing realisation that the "idea of the century" you’ve just hit upon was commissioned from someone else only last week - as a 34-part series.

First thing you do in the morning when you get in
Moan that the person four behind me in the Pret queue got their coffee before I did...before growing up and scanning the overnights/papers.

What question have you been asked most this week?
A tie between “Any good ideas?” and “You look tired”.

What piece of technology would make your job easier?
As I'm a keen pencil user...an electric pencil sharpener. Made in Germany - the best.

Any downsides to working in the media?
Coming to terms with the fact really strong programme ideas don’t always get commissioned – if the right slots aren’t available.

First media job
Researcher at Carlton Television.

Biggest achievement to date
Broadening the company’s output into previously untried areas such as history and current affairs.

Anything you wish you’d done differently?
Slept my way to the top more...then again, I tried and "no" means "no."

Dream Job/Company/Lifestyle
Actor at Royal Shakespeare Company with definite film role potential.

Best media jolly you’ve ever attended
Carlton Television’s "Closing Down" Party at The Three Tuns.