Derek began his professional career as a Director in the theatre with productions at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Court, Traverse, Soho, King's Head and Manchester's University Theatre, most of which were either world or UK premieres of new plays. Moving into television Derek directed several highly regarded single dramas and TV movies for leading network companies and the BBC. At the same time he diversified into episodic drama, often as an originating Director. This has led to a full and varied career in the top echelons of British television drama. He has enjoyed great success as a writer, with eight single shot plays produced for TV and radio. Two of these were nominated for Sony Awards. His first stage play "Blue on Blue" premiered in October 2006 and was runner up for the 2007 Meyer-Whitworth Award. A feature film version was subsequently commissioned.