BREWDOG boss James Watt is stepping down from the top job 17 years after he co-founded the Scottish brewer and pub group.
Watt will hand over the reins to chief operating officer James Arrow, but will remain with the group as a non-executive director on the board and continue to advise the group on strategy.
The group said it had put in place succession plans after Watt first told the board last year he wanted to step away to focus on his other projects and interests.
Watt will take on the newly created non-executive role of “captain and co-founder” and retains his 21% shareholding in the firm.
READ MORE: More than half of Scots pine trees planted by BrewDog project are dead
In a Linkedin post, Watt said: “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 said: “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 2530 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.”
But Watt’s tenure has been marred by controversy in recent years, with the firm accused by former workers in an open letter in 2021 of having a “culture of fear” within the business, with “toxic attitudes” towards junior staff.
Watt apologised to staff and since insisted the group has made changes after the open letter was published.
And in January, the company 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.
Watt said on announcing his departure from the top job: “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.”
READ MORE: Watchdog bans BrewDog climate change advert over F-word controversy
He said he was “grateful for the tough times too, for the learnings they provided, the resolve they instilled and the perspective they offered”.
He said 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.”
Arrow, who was hired as chief operating officer last September as part of succession planning for the top role, 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.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here