BrewDog co-founder James Watt launches new business

James Watt has launched a new “brand building” business after stepping down as chief executive of BrewDog in May.

Watt announced the launch of Social Tip on LinkedIn and said he was looking to build its team of eight with the addition of a USA general manager and two UK-based graduates.

The general manager will lead on the company’s US operations, while the two graduates will work directly with Watt and the director of partnerships on sales and social media.

According to documents filed on Companies House, Social Tip changed its registered office address from Ellon to Edinburgh in April. It was first incorporated as Slay Day in May 2023.  

It comes a month after Watt handed over his chief executive role to James Arrow, who joined BrewDog as chief operating officer last summer.

Watt remains ‘captain and co-founder’ of BrewDog and continues to lead the craft brewer as board member, director and part-time strategic advisor.

His 17-year tenure at BrewDog was marked by both remarkable growth and controversy, particularly in recent years.

In 2021, more than 100 former employees signed an open letter alleging there was a “culture of fear” within the business, for which Watt later apologised. In 2022, a BBC documentary alleged further inappropriate behaviour by Watt, which he has since denied.

Image: LinkedIn/James Watt