Brewdog has made a significant appointment by bringing Lisa Buckley, a former operations director from Wagamama, into the role of chief retail officer. This decision follows the departure of James Brown as chief executive, highlighting a period of transition for the company.
Lisa Buckley is scheduled to commence her new role in January, under the leadership of newly appointed CEO James Arrow. Her extensive background in the hospitality sector, with previous roles including CEO of Leisure TV Rights and senior positions at Wagamama and Côte Brasserie, positions her well for this critical role. Her responsibilities will encompass managing Brewdog’s extensive network of hospitality venues worldwide.
James Arrow, Brewdog’s CEO, expressed enthusiasm about Buckley’s appointment, citing her broad hospitality expertise as vital for the company’s growth and profitability. ‘She brings an incredible array of hospitality experience and is a critical hire as we evolve as a brand, develop our crew and customer offer, scale globally and importantly drive profitability across our business. Lisa shares our passion for people, beer and the planet’, Arrow stated.
The appointment is timely, following the recent departure of James Brown, who led Brewdog’s bars as chief executive for nine years before transitioning to a new opportunity at Prezzo. His exit marks a period of change just as Brewdog reported an operating loss of almost £60 million in its first half, despite a modest 2% increase in grocery sales. Co-founder James Watt described these financial results as ‘frustrating’, reflecting some of the challenges the company faces.
Buckley’s induction into Brewdog is anticipated to bring strategic enhancement to its retail operations, aiming to invigorate the company’s trajectory amidst evolving market conditions.
The introduction of Lisa Buckley as Brewdog’s new chief retail officer marks a strategic move to bolster its leadership team amidst recent challenges. Her wealth of experience in the hospitality industry is expected to contribute positively to Brewdog’s global retail ambitions.
