Photo Credit: Charlie Lexton (Merlin)
Digital rights agency Merlin announces its new CEO, Charlie Lexton, who succeeds Jeremy Sirota and has worked for the company since its inception.
Merlin, the digital rights agency for world-leading independent labels and distributors, has announced the appointment of Charlie Lexton as its CEO, effective January 1, 2026. Lexton succeeds Jeremy Sirota and has worked for Merlin since its inception, initially alongside its founding CEO, Charles Caldas.
Lexton has been instrumental in establishing Merlin as a global force in digital music. Most recently, Lexton served as Merlin’s COO since April 2020. He has been at the center of key milestones throughout Merlin’s history, from the negotiation of its suite of DSP and social media deals to the recent announcement of its groundbreaking partnership with AI audio company, ElevenLabs.
Further, Lexton has been key to delivering a series of significant moments across the independent music sector. These include Merlin’s settlement of peer-to-peer copyright infringement litigation with LimeWire, the transfer of substantial parts of the Parlophone Label Group to the independent sector following Universal Music Group’s acquisition of EMI, and the sale of Merlin’s equity interest in Spotify.
Lexton has worked in the music industry for his entire career, beginning as a DJ, writer, and producer, before co-founding London independent label Dorado Records. After qualifying as a lawyer, he worked at UMG and EMI, where he led Business Affairs for EMEA ex UK. Immediately prior to helping launch Merlin, Lexton ran another London-based independent label, City Rockers, as co-owner.
Merlin recently published its accounts for 2024, announcing revenue at a record high of $1.64 billion and its administration fee at a record low of 1%.
“I am delighted at the opportunity to lead this organization,” said Lexton. “My focus is on our members—the most significant grouping of independent music companies in the world—and on the Merlin team, our incredibly hardworking and dedicated staff. I can do nothing without the support of our team. And without our members, there is no Merlin.”
“When we conducted our search for the new CEO, we met a number of extraordinary leaders; however, one person stood out,” said Chairperson of Merlin and Secretly Group co-CEO Darius Van Arman. “Charlie Lexton has earned the trust of the Merlin membership by consistently delivering immense value throughout the organization’s history. I am extremely confident that under his stewardship and working closely with the exceptional Merlin team, Merlin will reach new heights and further enable the independence of the world’s leading music companies.”
“Charlie is a brilliant strategist and remarkable negotiator who has earned the respect of our membership, team, and partners,” added Marie Clausen, Merlin Management Board member and MD North America, Ninja Tune. “The industry is at a pivotal moment of change. With Charlie at the helm, Merlin is ideally positioned to turn that change into opportunity. Having worked with him over a decade, I am confident that under Charlie’s leadership, Merlin is in the best hands.”
Outgoing Merlin CEO Jeremy Sirota concluded: “Charlie has been a great partner in evolving Merlin into what it is today. He consistently delivers—from his unwavering commitment to the Merlin team to pioneering the first significant AI deal with ElevenLabs to empowering our members via Merlin Insights. Next year, I’m proud he will champion Merlin Engage to empower the next generation of female leaders for independent music. I’m excited for Charlie and the team to write Merlin’s next chapter.”
