Craft brewer boss steps down from role after tenure was marred by string of controversies including ‘toxic’ workplace culture row

BrewDog CEO James Watt is stepping down from the highest job after 17 years after the tenure was marred by a string of controversies including a ‘poisonous’ workplace culture row. 

Mr Watt will hand over the reins to chief working officer James Arrow, however will stay with the group as a non-executive director on the board and proceed to advise them on technique.

The group mentioned it had put in place succession plans after Mr Watt first informed the board final 12 months he needed to step away to deal with his different tasks and pursuits.

Mr Watt will tackle the newly created non-executive role of ‘captain and co-founder’ and retains his 21 per cent shareholding within the agency.

In a Linkedin submit, Mr Watt mentioned: ‘After 17 unbelievable years as chief government, I’ve determined to transition into a brand new role within the enterprise, one of ‘captain and co-Founder’ – and James Arrow will decide up the reins as chief government as our enterprise pushes ahead into our subsequent part of progress.

‘In my new role I’ll stay as a board member, a director and I will even be half time strategic adviser to the enterprise and our to management workforce.’

BrewDog chairman Allan Leighton mentioned: ‘James Watt, alongside Martin Dickie, created this nice enterprise from a storage in Fraserburgh.

‘Few have completed what he has.

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‘From very humble beginnings beneath his management, BrewDog has grown to develop into the world’s main craft brewer, using 2,530 individuals throughout its head workplace, 4 breweries and over 120 bars.

‘I’m particularly happy he’ll proceed to supply his perception, artistic genius and vitality to the board.’

But Mr Watt’s tenure has been marred by controversy in recent times, with the agency accused by former employees in an open letter in 2021 of having a ‘culture of concern’ inside the enterprise, with ‘poisonous attitudes’ in the direction of junior employees.

Mr Watt apologised to employees and since insisted the group has made adjustments after the open letter was printed.

And in January, the corporate additionally confronted a backlash after revealing it might not rent new employees on the ‘actual’ dwelling wage, as a substitute paying the decrease authorized minimal wage.

Mr Watt mentioned on saying his departure from the highest job: ‘During my time on the helm of BrewDog, there have been highs and lows, up and downs, loopy successes and extremely onerous challenges.

‘When I look again on the final 17 years (119 Dog Years) my overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude.’

He mentioned he was ‘grateful for the robust instances too, for the learnings they supplied, the resolve they instilled and the attitude they supplied’.

He mentioned he plans to ‘take a bit of time without work, to journey, to spend extra time with my household and pals.

‘I’m additionally trying ahead to having the ability to dedicate some extra time to my different enterprise pursuits.’

Mr Arrow, who was employed as chief working officer final September as half of succession planning for the highest role, was beforehand managing director of Boots Opticians.

Before 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.

Mr Watt is courting former Made in Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo, with the pair getting collectively over the summer time after being arrange on a blind date by a buddy. 

Georgia – who is understood by her pals as Toff – admitted she hopes her boyfriend Mr Watt can be ‘the one’. 

Toff mentioned: ‘I’d love him to be the one however hey, thus far so good. I do not know. It remains to be very early days. But we’re actually completely satisfied.  

‘James really walked right into a wall on our first date, which was actually humorous. But, I believe I knew [how strong their connection was] from the second date. 

‘I imply it was simply basic James and I. The first date was, like, stereotypical, actually pretty time, knew I actually appreciated him, nice.’

Their subsequent date was really the next night as they had been determined to see one another once more – and met up in Brewdog Waterloo.