Brown’s leadership has seen BrewDog grow its portfolio of bars in the UK and worldwide.
James Brown is to step down as chief executive of BrewDog Bars after nine years with the company.
He joined the business in 2015 as retail director and was promoted to managing director – bars during the pandemic in 2020.
Brown stepped up to lead the bars division in December 2022, overseeing its estate of more than 100 venues worldwide.
Under his tenure the business has targeted further overseas expansion in India, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Thailand and the US. It is planning to reach 300 global sites by 2030 and looking to open in China and South Korea over the next few years.
Brown, who is also the co-founder of cashless tipping platform Tipjar, wrote on Linkedin: “After nine years BrewDog it’s time for me to call last orders!
“By the time I leave, I will have had the most incredible journey leading our bars business for the best part of a decade. As a bartender in Glasgow during my studies I could never have dreamed of a career in hospitality that took me to all four corners of the planet opening bars and running businesses with the most awesome bunch of people.
“I was privileged to work with some amazing talented ‘BrewDogers’ both past and present and their energy, drive and creativity led the business to what it is today.
“I want to thank James Watt, Martin Dickie and David McDowall and the rest of the business for putting their trust in me and for agreeing to do some pretty incredible (sometimes insane) projects over the years.”
Brown said he would remain a shareholder in the company and a “huge BrewDog fan”.
His next move has not been confirmed but he wrote on LinkedIn that he would reveal more over the next few days.