BrewDog appoints former Asda CEO to its board ahead of growth plans

BrewDog has appointed former Asda chief executive Allan Leighton to its board as it gears up for a ‘new phase of growth’.

The craft brewer said Leighton has joined as independent non-executive chairman and will act as a ‘mentor’ to BrewDog’s chief executive James Watt.

Leighton was formerly chief executive of jewellery brand Pandora and non-executive chairman at companies including Wagamama, Co-operative Group, Royal Mail and Entertainment One.

He replaces Blythe Jack, who will remain on the board as deputy chairperson and continue to oversee BrewDog’s culture review, which was announced earlier this year after more than 100 former employees signed an open letter alleging there was a ‘culture of fear’ within the business.

The craft brewer said it was gearing up for further growth with beer launches, more bar and hotel openings and new products planned. In August, BrewDog opened a new bar in Bath and a hotel, the Manchester Doghouse. Construction on an Edinburgh DogHouse hotel is also underway and will be completed by the end of the year.

Leighton’s appointment follows the final close of the latest Equity For Punks fundraising round, which raised £30.2m from nearly 74,000 Equity Punks, including more than 68,000 new investors.

Watt said: “As we continue to build our business and implement a range of initiatives to become the best business we can be, Allan’s mentorship and personal guidance will be invaluable.”

BrewDog was founded in 2007 and now operates more than 100 bars worldwide.