UK-based effects house The Mill is launching a New York arm, the company announced on Monday.

The operation will focus on commercials work, although its UK parent has moved into features such as Gladiator, whose director Ridley Scott is a minority investor in the group. The venture is to be fully open by May.

Robin Shenfield, chief executive, said that The Mill in London has traditionally derived around 20% of its advertising revenue via the US.

"We have been contemplating this move for a while, and had a very positive response from our American clients about going ahead," he said. "We hope that within the next 12 months The Mill will grow to become a substantial feature of the Manhattan post-production scene."