Ashton will continue to be responsible for developing the output for Xfm in London, as well as the new Manchester station, which is hoped to be on air within the next six months.
The new programme director has been commended for improving Rajar results across the station since becoming programme controller for Xfm in November 2003.
This includes the appointment of Lauren Laverne to the drive-time show and DJ Lucio to host the weekend breakfast show. Ashton will also soon have to name a replacement for breakfast show host Christian O'Connell, who is set to join Virgin Radio next year.
"We have many more plans in the pipeline for growing Xfm as a national brand and furthering our ambition to position ourselves as the number one station for credible new music in the UK. It's an incredibly exciting time for me personally and Xfm as a whole," Ashton said.
Graham Hodge, who previously held the role of business development director, has been handed the role of launch director for Manchester Xfm.
He will work closely with Xfm's head of marketing, Charlotte Soussan, who has been given the extended role of developing the marketing and communications plan for the launch of Xfm in Manchester.
The Manchester launch will be headed by Graham Bryce, managing director of the Xfm Network.
"I am delighted to have such a high-calibre team at our disposal within the brand to launch Xfm Manchester. We are all very excited at the prospect at bringing Xfm to the most vibrant city in the UK for music," he said.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .
.jpg)
.jpg)