BrewDog co-founder leaves business – Just Drinks

BrewDog co-founder Martin Dickie is stepping away from the company with immediate effect, the UK craft beer major has confirmed.

Dickie, who set up BrewDog alongside James Watt in 2007, is leaving the business and the alcohol sector “for personal reasons”, the group said in a statement today (22 August) He most recently held the position of CEO of BrewDog’s spirits business, BrewDog Distilling Co., which produces brands including Abstrakt Vodka, Lonewolf gin and Casa Rayos Tequila. According to his personal LinkedIn page, Dickie has been CEO of the medicinal cannabis cultivation business Waterside Pharmaceuticals since February this year and continues to hold this role. The Hazy Jane brand owner will not be making any changes to its leadership team as a result of Dickie’s departure. Dickie’s divisional chief executive role will not be replaced the company told Just Drinks, noting the unit’s managing director Steven Kersley would now reports into James Taylor, BrewDog’s CEO. Commenting on his departure, Dickie said: “After over two decades in the brewing and distilling arena sadly for personal reasons it’s time for me to leave the industry that I love deeply and hopefully had a positive impact in. “Leaving BrewDog isn’t easy but I’m ready to spend less time travelling and spend some more time at home with my young family. It has been an honour to have worked with incredible, like-minded, colleagues who live in a world of flavour and experimentation. “Our hard work and passion is dedicated to bringing our customers a moment of beautiful escapism from the real world. In James Taylor and chief operating officer Lauren Carrol, BrewDog is in very strong hands and I will always remain a massive fan.” Dickie continues to retain shares in the business, BrewDog confirmed to Just Drinks. Both he and Watt hold minority stakes alongside TSG Consumer Partners and other private investors. The Elvis Juice brand owner added in its statement: “BrewDog remains committed to its mission of making great beer and beverages, with a strong leadership team and a dedicated global workforce to carry forward its legacy of innovation. “The company will continue to expand its spirits and cocktail offerings while maintaining its core focus on craft beer and sustainability.” Dickie’s departure comes more than a year after Watt stepped down from his CEO position. He was first replaced by former Boots Opticians managing director James Arrow and, less than a year later, by Taylor, who was promoted from the CFO role in March. “Martin’s contributions to BrewDog have been immeasurable,” Taylor said. “His creativity, passion and relentless drive have shaped our company over the years and inspired countless others in the industry. “We would like to thank him for his focus primarily on product quality, NPD, workplace safety and sustainable supplier relationships. Martin will always be part of the BrewDog family and we wish him every success in the future.” Last week, The Daily Telegraph reported almost 2,000 pubs in the UK had stopped selling BrewDog’s draught beers in the last two years. Carrol told the publication: “Independent brewers across the board have felt the squeeze from the economic pressures hitting the pub trade. With costs rising and consumers watching their spend, pub groups have been narrowing their ranges, and brewery-owned pubs are putting more emphasis on their own brands. “It’s not just us – every independent brewer has been affected. We saw the trend coming, which is why we’ve shifted focus to high-impact channels like festivals, stadiums, and independent [outlets].”