James Brown, the Chief Executive Officer of BrewDog, has announced his resignation after a decade-long tenure at the company. This decision follows his two-year leadership as CEO, during which BrewDog saw significant growth and challenges.
James Brown joined BrewDog in 2015, initially taking up the role of retail director. His career within the company evolved as he became the retail director for bars in 2020, eventually securing the position of global retail CEO in 2022.
During his leadership, Brown played a pivotal role in expanding BrewDog’s global presence. Under his guidance, the number of BrewDog bars grew from 30 to over 130 worldwide. Significant openings were established in major cities such as Las Vegas, Berlin, Paris, London, Sydney, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Dublin.
Speaking about his departure, Brown expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside talented colleagues at BrewDog. His future plans remain undisclosed, although he mentioned his intent to share more details soon. Despite stepping down, Brown remains a shareholder and a supporter of BrewDog.
James Watt, BrewDog’s co-founder and former CEO, commented on Brown’s departure through a LinkedIn post, acknowledging their shared journey and the numerous challenges and triumphs experienced together. Watt also highlighted the memorable moments and growth they achieved, emphasising the strength of their professional relationship.
Amidst Brown’s departure, BrewDog faces its own set of challenges. The company recently reported an operating loss of nearly £60 million, which marks a doubling of its pre-tax losses compared to the previous year. Despite this financial setback, BrewDog recorded an 11% increase in gross sales, reaching £355 million.
James Brown’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter in BrewDog’s history. With his leadership, the company achieved notable global expansion, though it now faces financial hurdles. As BrewDog navigates these challenges, the focus will likely shift towards stabilising its financial position while building on past successes.
