AHMED AND PAWSON STEP UP AT XL

07 May 2014 - Press release

Imran Ahmed is promoted to become XL Recordings Head Of A&R. Caius Pawson takes the title of Young Turks Recordings Founder / Co-owner as the imprint becomes a joint venture between himself and XL.

Ahmed, whose signings include Vampire Weekend, Jai Paul and Jungle, joined the company as A&R Manager in 2007 after stints at NME Magazine and BBC Radio 1.

XL Managing Director, Ben Beardsworth says:

"Imran has played a central role in shaping XL's output over the past few years. He has an extremely insightful view of contemporary culture and the media landscape, combined with the creative empathy to be able to connect closely with artists. We look forward to watching his influence grow yet further in line with this promotion and it's increased responsibility." 

Ahmed, says:

"It's been great to be a part some very special times at XL. I'm looking fwd to building on these foundations and continuing to make XL the most desirable home for new artists around."

Pawson joined XL to set up the Young Turks imprint in 2006. His signings have included The xx and Tyler, The Creator.

Beardsworth says: 

"We're extremely proud of what Caius and his Young Turks team have achieved as an imprint, and it is impossible to overstate his contribution to XL overall. He has such a strong entrepreneurial and creative spirit that the sky really is the limit to what he can achieve with this exciting next chapter of Young Turks Recordings, now that it has become a true partnership with XL."

Pawson says:

“I truly adore every person I’ve had the privilege of working with at XL and Beggars, so I’m delighted to be getting further into bed with them all. Young Turks has always been a team effort and without everyone at XL and Beggars we would never have got to the point of releasing records. I’d also love to congratulate the people who are Young Turks: Katie O’Neill, Tic Zogson, Simon Guzylack, Andy West and Molly Hawkins. Their tireless and inspirational work got us to this very exciting point."

Pawson divides his time between the XL HQ in Notting Hill and the Young Turks office in Hackney where he also runs Young Turks Music, a joint venture with Beggars Music, and Young Turks Management, whose client roster includes The xx, Jamie xx, and Sampha.

Beardsworth added: 

"These are two extremely talented individuals, both have signed acts that have broken globally and sold multiple millions of albums, and both now have a great opportunity to ramp things up to another level".

XL and Young Turks have albums forthcoming this summer from Jack White, Jungle, FKA twigs and SBTRKT.