BrewDog’s chief executive, James Brown, is set to step down after steering the company for nearly two years, marking the end of his nine-year tenure with the brand.
James Brown’s association with BrewDog began in 2015 when he took on the role of retail director. His leadership skills saw him rise to the position of retail director for bars by 2020, before finally being appointed as global retail CEO in 2022.
During his time, Brown significantly contributed to BrewDog’s expansion, particularly in growing the brand’s bar presence from 30 to over 130 locations worldwide. This global expansion included opening flagship sites in major cities such as Las Vegas, Berlin, Paris, London, Sydney, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Dublin.
James Watt, co-founder and former CEO of BrewDog, expressed his gratitude towards Brown’s leadership and teamwork in a LinkedIn post, highlighting their shared experiences and accomplishments over the past decade. Watt stated, “Together we took BrewDog bars from 30 locations to over 130 locations across the world…” reflecting on the dynamic growth during their collaboration.
Brown himself expressed his appreciation for the talented individuals he worked with at BrewDog and maintained his enthusiasm for the company’s future. He mentioned that although he is stepping down, he will continue to support the company as a shareholder and an avid fan.
While expressing optimism for BrewDog’s future, Brown also acknowledged recent financial challenges faced by the company. In October, BrewDog revealed an operating loss of nearly £60 million, doubling its pre-tax losses from the previous year despite an 11% increase in gross sales, from £321 million to £355 million.
The departure of Brown follows a period of both expansion and financial hurdles, illustrating the complex landscape that leaders in the brewery industry navigate. His next steps remain to be announced, but his focus remains on appreciating the journey and the team that supported him.
James Brown’s imminent departure from BrewDog marks a significant transition for the company. Under his leadership, BrewDog not only expanded its global footprint but also faced substantial financial challenges. As the company looks to the future, Brown’s legacy of growth and innovation remains influential.
