Brewdog boss James Watt calls time on 17 years in cost | Enterprise Information

Brewdog’s co-founder and chief government James Watt has revealed he’s to step down from the highest job after 17 years.

He wrote on a LinkedIn submit that he was to retain his 21% stake within the brewer and pub agency and change into “captain and co-founder” – a newly created non-executive board function that will see him proceed to supply oversight and recommendation.

James Arrow, Brewdog’s chief working officer, will succeed him.

Mr Watt introduced the choice simply weeks after the TUC branded him “the worst employer of the month”.

The union organisation stated it mirrored Brewdog’s determination this yr to not rent new workers on the “actual” dwelling wage, as an alternative paying the decrease authorized minimal wage.

Mr Watt attracted comparable criticism in 2021 after a gaggle of former employees known as out a “tradition of worry” throughout the enterprise, with “poisonous attitudes” in the direction of junior workers.

Mr Watt apologised saying it was “100% my fault”, later telling Sky Information that he had often been “too demanding“.

The controversy took a number of the gloss off the corporate’s enviable document on the time.

Mr Watt, together with Martin Dickie, based the enterprise from a storage in Fraserburgh in 2007.

As Brewdog chairman Allan Leighton famous in his tribute: “From very humble beginnings below his management, Brewdog has grown to change 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, inventive genius and vitality to the board,” he added.

Mr Watt added: “Throughout my time on the helm of Brewdog, there have been highs and lows, up and downs, loopy successes and extremely onerous challenges.

“Once I look again on the final 17 years (119 Canine Years) my overwhelming feeling is one in every of gratitude.”

He stated he was “grateful for the robust occasions too, for the learnings they offered, the resolve they instilled and the attitude they supplied”.

He stated he plans to “take a little bit of break day, to journey, to spend extra time with my household and buddies.

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

Mr Watt, whose girlfriend is former Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo, has been investing in start-up companies and final yr led the Subsequent Unicorn competitors, sharing out £1m of funding between 5 firms.

TUC common secretary Paul Novak stated of his looming departure: “This ought to be a cautionary story to dangerous bosses.

“In the event you slash employees’ pay and circumstances you can be known as out in public and your online business will undergo.

“Brewdog’s success has been constructed on the again of its workforce. They need to be valued correctly.

“My message to the brand new CEO is straightforward – pay your workers the true Dwelling Wage.”