JAMES Watt is best known for being the multi-millionaire CEO of BrewDog, but in May 2024 he announced he was stepping down.
Georgia Toffolo revealed she was engaged to the millionaire in October of the same year — here’s everything you need to know about why James called it a day at the company he started.
Who is James Watt?
James is the co-founder of BrewDog, a multinational brewery which claims to be the “No.1 Craft Brewer in Europe”.
He completed an honours degree in law and economics at Edinburgh University.
After realising the corporate world of libel and litigation wasn’t for him, he changed careers to join his father as a fully-qualified deep sea captain.
He then traded in being a sea dog to start BrewDog in 2007, alongside co-founder Martin Dickie.
In 2014, he was awarded Great British Entrepreneur of the Year.
James and Martin host the reality TV show Brew Dogs on the Esquire Network, which airs in seven countries.
When did James Watt step down as CEO of BrewDog?
James announced the news that he is stepping down as CEO on May 8, 2024.
He took to social media to release a statement about what his new role with the company will be.
Why has James Watt step down as CEO of BrewDog?
James has said he is “transitioning” into his new role of “captain and co-founder”, but did not give a definitive reason as to why.
But recently BrewDog has been no stranger to controversy.
In January 2024 the company faced an “incredibly tough week” following huge backlash over changes to staff wages.
Plans were announced to stop paying new employees the real living wage, according to a union.
Following huge backlash, James hit back on X saying that BrewDog is working hard to protect jobs and keep all of their bars open while “offering market leading packages to our brilliant people”.
He added that the company “simply have to balance our books” and “ensure the long-term viability”.
After 17 fantastic years as chief executive, I have decided to transition into a new role in the business, one of ‘captain and co-founder’
James Watt
In February 2024, Ofcom rejected BrewDog‘s complaint over a BBC documentary accusing James of inappropriate behaviour.
The beer giant lodged an official objection over the “deeply hurtful and damaging lies” contained in the Disclosure programme The Truth About BrewDog.
In the doc, claims are made by US-based ex-employees that his behaviour towards female members of staff was inappropriate.
James previously submitted a complaint with telly regulator Ofcom.
He said the show had also infringed his right to privacy, but the watchdog has now dismissed the complaint.
More than a dozen former staff members spoke to the Disclosure team about the Scots booze boss.
And just last month James broke his silence on the “disaster” of the Lost Forest and revealed that of the half a million trees he planted last year at least 250,000 died.
He blamed extreme weather conditions and also hit out at those who criticised the project, which was handed almost £700,000 of public cash.
How did James Watt announce he was stepping down as CEO of BrewDog?
James made the announcement he was stepping down on LinkedIn.
He wrote: “After 17 fantastic years as chief executive, I have decided to transition into a new role in the business, one of ‘captain and co-founder’ — and James Arrow will pick up the reins as chief executive as our business pushes forward into our next phase of growth.
“In my new role I will remain as a board member, a director and I will also be part time strategic adviser to the business and our to leadership team.”
How long has James Watt been CEO of BrewDog?
James set up the Aberdeenshire firm in 2007 alongside co-founder Martin Dickie
This means he was CEO of the company for 17 years.
Who is James Watt’s fiancée?
James and Georgia Toffolo have been together since the summer of 2023, when the BrewDog founder went on a blind date with the 2017 I’m a Celeb winner last summer.
It was supposedly the idea of a mutual friend who thought the pair would hit it off.
Georgia moved into James’ pad in March 2024, with things becoming more serious the following month as she cleared her property out.
The Made In Chelsea star took to Instagram to reflect on the time spent there.
Georgia said: “Saying goodbye to my apartment this morning was way more emotional than I thought.
“It was a super important chapter in my life and a very happy one.
“I remember being so scared when I first moved in (not that I would EVER admit that at the time to anyone).
“Scared of living alone, in a new part of London and what the future might hold.
“How silly of me to worry. It was the best decision I’ve ever made (easy to say that with hindsight isn’t it?!)
“Closing the door and leaving the keys was a weird mixture of lots of feelings. I’d be sad if I wasn’t so excited for my new chapter.
“I fell down a nostalgic hole in my camera roll so here are my favourite snaps of a special and happy time.”
Georgia and James announced their exciting news earlier this year.
The star wrote on social media: “Happiest when with YOU…which is encouraging as @brewdogjames just asked me to move in!
“We basically live together anyway but I’m excited to make it official.
“Some of the outfits I’ve worn in between our houses in London have been nothing short of extraordinary. Last week I wore cowboy boots with my PJ’s and a flat cap to hide the shame.
“Can’t wait to tell Montdog the good news — my days of being the bag lady are officially OVER! So excited to make our home together. Best end to our holiday.”
On October 26, 2024, James asked the reality star to be his wife.
Georgia was all smiles while she showed off her huge engagement ring while standing next to her fiancé.
James proposed during a holiday to Greece.
Georgia shared the news on Instagram and posted some snaps from the happy moment, along with the words: “James asked me to marry him.
“It really was the best moment of my life so far.
“I never knew I could feel happiness like this.
“The easiest, quickest yes to being your wife. @brewdogjames
“Our love story is my favourite. How we managed to find each other out of billions of people out there will always be my greatest blessing.
“I love you forever and the magical life we’re building.”
