James Watt is to step down as CEO of Brewdog as he becomes “captain and co-founder”. James Arrow, currently the Chief Operating Officer, will become the new CEO. Arrow became COO last year as part of the company’s succession planning. He was previously Managing Director at Boots Opticians.
James Watt, who retains his shares in the company he set up in Fraserburgh with Martin Dickie is 2007, said in a statement on LinkedIn, “After 17 fantastic years as CEO, I have decided to transition into a new role in the business, one of ‘Captain & Co-Founder’ – and James Arrow will pick up the reins as CEO 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 advisor to the business and our to leadership team. Furthermore, I will retain my BrewDog shareholding and my Hop Stock initiative whereby I give 20% of my BrewDog shares to the team will remain in place.
“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.
“Gratitude to have been able to build the world’s leading craft beer brand, from scratch. Gratitude to have been able to work with such amazing people all over our business including our fantastic community. I am eternally thankful for all the brilliant beers, all the standout batches of Jack Hammer and all the wild adventures we have been on as a team.
“I am also grateful for the tough times too, for the learnings they provided, the resolve they instilled and the perspective they offered.”
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.”
