Brewdog boss James Watt steps down from CEO role

[Chippy_Tea]

The comment below on the article made me laugh -

Nathaniel Banks
Finally realised they need to treat their staff properly?

The boss of Scottish beer giant Brewdog is to step down from his role as CEO of the company.

James Watt said he would move to a newly-created position of "captain and co-founder" and retain his shares in the company.

His role will be taken over by chief operating officer James Arrow.

Mr Watt co-founded the Scottish brewery and pub group in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, in 2007 alongside Martin Dickie.

In a statement Mr Watt said: "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 my overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude."

Brewdog now has breweries and pubs worldwide but has retained its headquarters in Ellon, in Aberdeenshire.

Last year, the firm expanded into the Chinese market in a joint venture with brewing giant Budweiser.

Brewdog's revenue grew to £321.2m in the 2022-23 financial year.

Mr Watt's tenure has been marked by controversy in recent years.

The company has faced criticism for its marketing campaigns and its workplace culture.

The firm was accused by former workers in an open letter in 2021 of having a "culture of fear" within the business with "toxic attitudes" to junior staff.

In 2022 several ex-Brewdog workers accused Mr Watt of inappropriate behaviour in a BBC Disclosure investigation.

Lawyers for Mr Watt said the allegations were false. Ofcom rejected complaints that Brewdog and Mr Watt were unfairly treated by the programme.

In January, Brewdog also faced a backlash after revealing it would no longer hire new staff on the real living wage, instead paying the lower legal minimum wage.

BrewDog chairman Allan Leighton said "few have accomplished" what Mr Watt has.

He said: "I am especially pleased he will continue to offer his insight, creative genius and energy to the board."

Mr Watt will be replaced by James Arrow, who was hired as chief operating officer last September as forward planning for Mr Watt's replacement.

He was previously managing director of Boots Opticians.

Before this, he spent a decade at Dixons Carphone, where he held senior roles across e-commerce, trading, operations, sales and transformation.

BBC NEWS

 

[Madhouse]

I think it's been a long time coming. Too late for their beer though, IMO they've become everything they stood against in the early years.

That said, DIY Dog's been a handy reference and has allowed me to make the good beers of old.

 

[Sadfield]

Prophetic.

 

[LeeH]

just posted this….delete it CT

 

[Stu]

I think it's been a long time coming. Too late for their beer though, IMO they've become everything they stood against in the early years.

That said, DIY Dog's been a handy reference and has allowed me to make the good beers of old.

The DIY stuff stopped a few years back sadly. So some of the newer nano dog stuff (which interests me more), isn't there.

 

[JockyBrewer]

Edgy.

 

[YeastFace]

James Watt said he would move to a newly-created position of "captain..."

Waddock Hunt.

 

[MashBag]

Did he jump or was he pushed?

 

[soupdragon]

Did he jump or was he pushed?

Does anyone really give a ****?

Cheers Tom

 

[Rodcx500z]

James we will never cheapen our brews Watts, I DON'T CARE

 

[old dog new tricks]

Looks like the negative PR was having an effect when the public vote with their feet its game over.

 

[Brew_DD2]

James Watt said he would move to a newly-created position of "captain..."

Waddock Hunt.

He's always referred to himself at The Captain. Not sad to see him step down. They're an incredible success story, but definitely sold out years ago. I wouldn't be that bothered, but the beer isn't what it used to be.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

It's a long time since I have bought one of their beers, there are so many better beers out there i will probably never buy one again, I also didn't like the stuff that was on the interenet about the way they treat some staff so another reason for me to steer clear.

 

[SMP Brewery]

Pre Covid, went to the one in Brum, it was packed, the food was good and a great selection of beers James Watt was serving behind the bar. I then went just before Christmas, it was empty and very few beers on Tap, I didn’t even finish my pint.

 

[Stu]

He's always referred to himself at The Captain. Not sad to see him step down. They're an incredible success story, but definitely sold out years ago. I wouldn't be that bothered, but the beer isn't what it used to be.

At least they're still independent. Unlike many of the other successful smaller breweries.
I worry for companies like this, Northern Monk, Siren Craft and so on who are getting to the size where a multi-million pound offer might make them go the way of Beavertown.

 

[Northern_Brewer]

Did he jump or was he pushed?

It's part of a long-term plan - which he must have signed up to - to make him less visible ahead of an IPO. The City don't like people like that having too much influence, it allows Brewdog to distance themselves from the all the allegations of bad behaviour under his watch.

 

[Clint]

At least they're still independent. Unlike many of the other successful smaller breweries.
I worry for companies like this, Northern Monk, Siren Craft and so on who are getting to the size where a multi-million pound offer might make them go the way of Beavertown.

I'm sure I read as well as the Equity for Punks shareholders they also got some "other" investors involved. Might be wrong,probably are.
Mrs Clint bought me shares years ago,not even looked at their value etc.

 

[Stu]

I'm sure I read as well as the Equity for Punks shareholders they also got some "other" investors involved. Might be wrong,probably are.
Mrs Clint bought me shares years ago,not even looked at their value etc.

Oh I'm all OK with that. It's when Carlsberg, Heineken, Diageo etc. get involved.

 

[Bitter_Dave]

"Mr Watt will be replaced by James Arrow, who was hired as chief operating officer last September as forward planning for Mr Watt's replacement.

He was previously managing director of Boots Opticians.

Before this, he spent a decade at Dixons Carphone, where he held senior roles across e-commerce, trading, operations, sales and transformation."

How very punk rock!

 

[Brew_DD2]

At least they're still independent. Unlike many of the other successful smaller breweries.
I worry for companies like this, Northern Monk, Siren Craft and so on who are getting to the size where a multi-million pound offer might make them go the way of Beavertown.

They're independent up to a point. Strong indications that the private equity tail has been wagging the dog for some time.