Patrick Spence partners with Tiger Aspect

Patrick Spence, former head of drama at BBC Northern Ireland, is launching his own production company under the Tiger Aspect umbrella.

Spence, who left the BBC in March after six years heading up its drama operation in Northern Ireland, will now operate under a "flexible deal" with the Endemol UK-owned company.

According to Broadcast, his as-yet-untitled production firm is already working on a drama for the BBC with Cranford writer Heidi Thomas.

"What I have sacrificed in terms of ownership I have benefited from in terms of backing," said Spence, who executive produced the successful Occupation series while at the corporation.

"What I liked about Tiger and Endemol is they really mean business. They are determined to crack the drama market even more successfully that they already have.

"The best stuff that I worked on in-house and commissioned from indies was all authored, and I want to continue working in that vein. That's what I do well - I work with really good writers with great vision and passion and help to bring that out of them."

The deal with Spence marks Endemol's latest move to develop Tiger Aspect after it acquired the firm last year from IMG.

Spence, who opted to quit the BBC because he did not want to relocate his family to London as requested by the corporation, will officially start the new arrangement with Tiger in mid-July.