London, UK / New York, USA, 3rd September 2026
Xelon—a global independent digital distribution company—has announced the launch of its UK office and key hires for Europe and North America as part of the wider international expansion of the renowned Melbourne, Australia-headquartered business founded by Ashley Gay.
In Australia, September kicks off with Xelon and clients in attendance at the leading domestic conference, BIGSOUND; meanwhile, the company’s activity in the global music landscape introduces its UK and European business, based in Camden, London, represented by Jack Lawrenson, Global Streaming Manager, and Darren Latimer, UK/Europe Label Manager, with Gareth Davies, Head of Global Business Development, at the London hub on a regular basis.
Lawrenson brings experience and expertise from his previous role at Believe as Editorial and Marketing Partnerships Manager. Latimer works with many of Xelon’s UK and European labels, including 23rd Precinct and 8mm, and previously served as General Manager at New State Entertainment, among 20 years of record label experience.
Davies works primarily across bases in Hamburg and Porto, and previously led Kontor Records’ international department for two decades while also managing the label’s affiliated publishing company, Sheffield Communications
The imminent launch of All Bases Music, a full-service music supervision and licensing agency, run by Frankie Plato-Beale in collaboration with Xelon, will augment the London hub’s offering to label and artist clients.
In the US, Xelon has appointed Giancarlo Cordasco as US Partnerships Manager, bolstering the company’s northern hemisphere growth strategy. Based in New York, he will lead US commercial partnerships, including DSP relations and pitching across key DSP partners, and spearhead US dance radio campaigns for labels such as Central Station and Sweat It Out
The executive brings over a decade of experience, having previously served as Armada Music’s Head of US Operations and Promotion, leading the US office. Before Armada, Cordasco worked at RCA Records in national promotions and radio strategy.
Ashley Gay, Managing Director at Xelon, says:
The UK is a priority market for Xelon, and opening the London office signals progression and commitment to embracing opportunities in the territory for clients, while maintaining our hands-on approach.
Introducing Giancarlo in New York bolsters solid teams on both sides of the Atlantic, deepening Xelon’s global expertise that is collectively focused on our clients’ needs.
Gareth Davies, Head of Global Business Development, adds:
The UK and Europe are key territories for Xelon, and we’re delighted by the positive signals the London office launch is generating. Building on an existing strong presence and solid relationships in the region, Xelon’s enhanced visibility amplifies the business as a serious option on both sides of the world, for artists and labels alike.
Established in 2007, Xelon quickly became Australia’s premier music distributor; its current phase of international growth enhances a global presence, now including staff on the ground in North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, with close to 40 staff and more than 1,000 labels.
Notes To Editors
In Australia, September kicks off with BIGSOUND in Brisbane, again host to a wealth of Xelon artists such as Gia Darcy, Robert Baxter, Sweatbaby, Tusekah, and labels like Central Station, celebrating its 20th birthday in 2026 – and a Xelon partner from day one.
Among the hundreds of artists Xelon services worldwide, it has celebrated success working with renowned names such as Rufus Du Sol, Starley, What So Not, Yolanda Be Cool, and recent signing Nerve.
Highlighting its range of diverse repertoire, Xelon is proud to work with a strong base of dance and electronic labels including Sweat It Out and Central Station, innovative and inclusive labels like Offbeat Collective, UK-based clients such as new signing Remedy Project, and culture-first labels like Music In Exile, FN Focus (First Nation Focus) and Unearthed African Recordings, the latter meticulously restoring and reissuing mid-late twentieth century albums previously only available in limited runs of vinyl or cassette from across Africa.
In 2025, Xelon launched ‘Ascent’ – an imprint that signs female and gender non-conforming artists and producers, including Robert Baxter, who was recently nominated for an AIR award and is supporting Ashnikko on their AUNZ tour. Now celebrating its first anniversary, the Ascent label has been an exemplary case of Xelon team members grasping an opportunity and creating a new home for talented artists who deserve to be heard.
Xelon’s global music distribution offers a suite of artist and label services as standard, with a dedicated label manager, a personalised analytics dashboard, plus additional features like global editorial playlist pitching, radio online and club promotion, content and social strategy, publishing admin and sync, and advance funding.
Elias Davies, Label and Partnerships Manager in Australia: “We started ASCENT to break down the very real barriers so many talented women and gender-diverse people face in this industry, and to help uplift underrepresented voices. It’s about building a real-life community, offering tangible support and opportunities to artists and creative professionals, and of course releasing incredible music.”
