James Watt Announces Retirement From BrewDog After 17-Years

From the Independent:

BrewDog boss James Watt is stepping down from the top job 17 years after he co-founded the Scottish brewer and pub group.

Mr 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 Mr Watt first told the board last year he wanted to step away to focus on his other projects and interests.

Mr Watt will take on the newly created non-executive role of “captain and co-founder” and retains his 21% shareholding in the firm.

“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.”

This announcement was sent to Equity Punk members overnight:

Dear Equity Punk,

You may have seen the big news. Seventeen years after he co-founded the business, James Watt has decided to step down as chief executive of BrewDog.

He will stay on the BrewDog PLC board in the role of ‘captain & co-founder’ and remains a major shareholder. I am honoured to have been asked by Allan Leighton, our chair, and the Board to step into the role of chief executive. Please find below the company announcement which gives more detail and context.

I am looking forward to building on James’s and Martin’s achievements and leading this business through the next phase of its development.

I hope to meet as many of you as possible at the AGM next month, where I’ll share more about my vision and the journey ahead.

James Arrow BREWDOG ANNOUNCES THAT JAMES ARROW WILL SUCCEED JAMES WATT AS CEO JAMES WATT TO MOVE INTO NON-EXECUTIVE ROLE

8 May 10.00, Ellon: BrewDog has today announced that James Arrow, currently COO, will succeed James Watt as CEO of the company, as part of a succession plan put in place last year.

Seventeen years after he co-founded the business, James Watt has decided to step down as chief executive. He will stay on the BrewDog PLC board in the role of ‘captain & co-founder’ and remains a major shareholder.

Allan Leighton, BrewDog chair, said: “James Watt spoke to me last year about continuing to play a role with the business while freeing up time to concentrate on his other projects and interests. We subsequently put in place a succession plan by recruiting James Arrow as COO and strengthening the wider senior leadership team.”

James Arrow joined BrewDog from Boots Opticians, where he was managing director, in September 2023. Prior to that he spent a decade at Dixons Carphone in a variety of senior roles including e-commerce, trading, operations, sales and transformation.

“James Arrow is a proven leader,” said Allan Leighton. “His eight months as COO have given him a great insight into the business. The Board is delighted to have him as CEO, to lead the Company into its next phase of growth.” Allan Leighton continued: “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. We all wish him every success in his new ventures and in his NED role on the Board.”

James Arrow said: “James and Martin have created a fantastic business. I am looking forward to building on their achievements and leading this business through the next phase of its development.”

James Watt said: “I want to thank all the incredible people who have helped Martin and me create this unique business. I have loved co-founding this amazing business and leading it for the last 17 years. I am excited 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.’

For more information contact [email protected]

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