BrewDog’s James Watt to step down as chief executive of beer company

Watt: ‘During my time at the helm of Brewdog, there have been highs and lows, up and downs, crazy successes and incredibly hard challenges.’ Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

James Watt, the controversial co-founder and chief executive of BrewDog, is to step down after 17 years at the helm of the Scottish brewer and bar chain.

Watt, who navigated the Aberdeenshire-based brewer’s meteoric rise from “punk” challenger to mainstream beer brand, informed the board last year of his plan to step back.