BBC Worldwide will not acquire equity stakes in any further UK indies as it reassesses its strategy in the UK production sector.

Interim chief executive Paul Dempsey said it had placed a “moratorium” on buying into the indie sectors. “There is a discussion being had around BBC Worldwide’s role in the independent sector. We need to work out what’s the right relationship with the indie community,” he said.

“What’s important is that [the relationship] allows us to keep the pipeline of strong indie content.”

BBCW has a minority equity stake in a number of UK indies, including Baby Cow Productions, Clerkenwell Films, Left Bank Pictures, Sprout Pictures and Big Talk Productions.

Dempsey, previously managing director for consumer products, was put in charge of BBC Worldwide in November, following the departure of John Smith, until Tim Davie, currently acting director general, joins in April.

Sources close to BBCW suggested the company could divest its stake in up to two indies before the end of the year, but BBC Worldwide chief content officer Helen Jackson said there were no plans to do so. BBC Worldwide is set to move into the second phase of its restructure next week. It is being given a more regional focus, leading to the departure of a number of senior executives, including sales and distribution boss Steve Macallister.

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