Charles' music career started in 1999 at EMI Virgin Records in the Regional & Club Promotions department. In 2004, Charles left Virgin and founded Kartel Ltd with a grand vision to build a disruptive and creatively led management company.

In 2005, Kartel extended its activities into record label services, handling the
international release of the debut album from New Zealand band Fat Freddy’s Drop. The DIY success of that record and subsequent independent growth of a world class band has formed part of the Kartel DNA. Kartel has gone on to work with a wide range of artists, managers and independent record labels.