Controversial BrewDog boss James Watt quits top role but will remain ‘captain’ of beer company

Arguable beer boss James Watt is stepping ailing from the govern process of BrewDog 17 years nearest he co-founded the Scottish brewer

Mr Watt will surrender the reins to important running officer James Arrow, however will stay with the crowd as a non-executive director at the board and proceed to advise the crowd on technique.

Mr Watt will whisk at the newly created non-executive function of “captain and co-founder” and keeps his 21% shareholding within the company.

The crowd stated it had installed playground succession plans nearest Mr Watt first advised the board endmost presen he sought after to step away to concentrate on his alternative initiatives and pursuits.

In a Linkedin publish, Mr Watt stated: “After 17 fantastic years as chief executive, I have decided to transition into a new role in the business, one of ‘captain and co-Founder’ – and James Arrow will pick up the reins as chief executive as our business pushes forward into our next phase of growth.

“In my new role I will remain as a board member, a director and I will also be part time strategic adviser to the business and our to leadership team.”

BrewDog chairman Allan Leighton stated: “James Watt, alongside Martin Dickie, created this great business from a garage in Fraserburgh.

“Few have accomplished what he has.

“From very humble beginnings under his leadership, BrewDog has grown to become the world’s leading craft brewer, employing 2,530 people across its head office, four breweries and over 120 bars.

“I am especially pleased he will continue to offer his insight, creative genius and energy to the board.”

However Mr Watt’s tenure has been marred by means of controversy lately, with the company accused by means of former staff in an revealed letter in 2021 of getting a “culture of fear” inside the trade, with “toxic attitudes” in opposition to young team of workers.

Mr Watt apologised to team of workers and because insisted the crowd has made adjustments nearest the revealed letter was once revealed.

And in January, the corporate additionally confronted a backlash nearest revealing it could not rent brandnew team of workers at the “real” residing salary, in lieu paying the decrease criminal minimal salary.

Mr Watt stated on pronouncing his retirement from the govern process: “During my time at the helm of BrewDog, there have been highs and lows, up and downs, crazy successes and incredibly hard challenges.

“When I look back on the last 17 years (119 Dog Years) my overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude.”

He stated he was once “grateful for the tough times too, for the learnings they provided, the resolve they instilled and the perspective they offered”.

He stated he plans to “take a bit of time off, to travel, to spend more time with my family and friends.

“I am also looking forward to being able to dedicate some more time to my other business interests.”

Mr Arrow, who was once rented as important running officer endmost September as a part of succession making plans for the govern function, was once prior to now managing director of Boots Opticians.

Prior to this, he spent a decade at Dixons Carphone, the place he held senior roles throughout e-commerce, buying and selling, operations, gross sales and transformation.