James Watt to step down as BrewDog CEO after 17 years

While Watt has overseen the growth of BrewDog into a global craft beer business, his tenure has been marred by controversy in recent years.

In 2021, more than 100 former employees signed an open letter alleging there was a "culture of fear" within the business. Watt later apologised and said the company was "committed to doing better".

However, in 2022 a BBC documentary, Disclosure: The Truth about BrewDog, alleged further inappropriate behaviour by Watt, which he has since denied.

BrewDog has also repeatedly clashed with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over its eye-catching campaigns. Last year, an advert claiming it was ‘the world’s first carbon negative brewery’ was banned by the ASA, while in 2022 the watchdog ruled a BrewDog marketing email implying its fruit beers counted as "one of your five a day" could mislead customers.

Writing on LinkedIn, Watt said: "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."

Before working at BrewDog and Boots, Arrow spent a decade at Dixons Carphone in a variety of senior roles including e-commerce, trading, operations, sales and transformation.