EXCLUSIVE: Long-time Ruby exec departs; teams with BBC-TWC on first production.

Ruby Film and Television production executive Faye Ward has departed the company after 14 years.

The London-based executive’s first feature job as a stand-alone producer will be BBC-TWC-Lookout Point TV movie Stan and Ollie, the biopic of iconic UK comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, scripted by Philomena writer Jeff Pope.

Joining Ruby soon after its inception, Ward worked on films including Jane Eyre and Tamara Drewe, and produced TV drama including Stephen Poliakoff’s BBC series Dancing on the Edge and BBC Films TV movie Toast.

Ward and Ruby founder Alison Owen are currently in post-production on women’s suffrage drama Suffragette, starring Carey Mulligan.

Ward, who will look to work across film and TV, described her time at Ruby as a “phenomenal” experience: “It was fantastic working with Alison and we achieved a great deal. However, there comes a time when one has to move on.

“At the moment I’m independent but I’m looking at other opportunities out there and there are some good ones. I will continue to work with Alison on separate projects.”

Stan and Ollie backers are currently in discussion with cast and a director for the project, which is likely to shoot in 2015.

Ruby was unavailable to confirm whether Ward would be replaced at the company.