James Brown, BrewDog’s CEO, announces his resignation, marking a significant shift in the company’s leadership.
- Brown joined BrewDog in 2015 and rose to become the global retail CEO in 2022.
- His leadership saw BrewDog expand its bar locations worldwide from 30 to over 130.
- Co-founder James Watt commends Brown’s contributions despite recent financial setbacks.
- BrewDog reported significant pre-tax losses last year, doubling from the previous year.
James Brown, who served as the CEO of BrewDog, has decided to step down after a notable two-year tenure. Brown’s journey with BrewDog began in 2015, when he joined as the retail director. Over the years, he advanced to the position of global retail CEO by 2022, illustrating his deep-seated commitment to the company.
Under Brown’s leadership, BrewDog underwent significant expansion, particularly in its bar operations. The company successfully boosted its presence from 30 bar locations to more than 130 globally, opening new flagship sites in major cities such as Las Vegas, Berlin, Paris, London, Sydney, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Dublin. This expansion highlights Brown’s impactful role in BrewDog’s growth strategy.
James Watt, BrewDog’s co-founder and former CEO, expressed his gratitude and fondness for Brown through a LinkedIn post. Watt acknowledged the dynamic partnership they shared, which saw its fair share of highs, lows, and challenges. Yet, this partnership also resulted in many memorable experiences and laughter along the way.
Watt’s reflective post comes at a time when BrewDog faces challenging financial results. Last year, the company experienced nearly £60 million in operating losses, a marked increase from the £30 million in losses reported in 2022. Despite this, BrewDog managed to increase its gross sales, which rose by 11% from £321 million to £355 million.
In reflecting on his departure, James Brown expressed gratitude towards BrewDog’s diverse and talented workforce, the ‘BrewDogers.’ He also acknowledged the role of Equity Punk Shareholders, suppliers, and partners who contributed to BrewDog’s journey. Although stepping down from his executive role, Brown remains a shareholder and an enthusiastic supporter of the brand.
James Brown’s resignation signals a new chapter for BrewDog amidst ongoing challenges.
