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Martin Dickie, co-founder of Brewdog, has announced his departure from the Scottish craft beer company, citing personal reasons for his decision.
Dickie, who established the Ellon-based brewery with James Watt in 2007, recently ventured into the medicinal cannabis industry with his own business.
Last year, James Watt relinquished his role as CEO of Brewdog, transitioning to a newly created position as “captain and co-founder.”
Brewdog revealed last month that it would be closing 10 bars across the UK, including its flagship location in Aberdeen, attributing the closures to “ongoing industry challenges.”
According to a company spokesperson, these challenges encompass rising operational costs, increased regulatory oversight, and broader economic pressures.
Brewdog CEO James Taylor acknowledged Mr. Dickie’s significant impact on the company, describing his contributions as “immeasurable.”
Taylor further stated that Dickie’s “creativity, passion, and relentless drive have shaped our company over the years and inspired countless others in the industry.”
In recent years, Mr. Dickie played a key role in overseeing Brewdog’s expansion into the spirits and cocktail market.
He described his decision to leave, which will not result in any changes to the company’s leadership team, as a difficult one.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The company, renowned for its craft beers and IPAs, operates breweries and pubs globally, including 71 in the UK, with 17 located in Scotland.
Brewdog also maintains a presence with bars in Dubai, the US, and Australia.
In 2021, former employees published an open letter alleging a “culture of fear” and “toxic attitudes” towards junior staff within the organization.
The following year, several former Brewdog employees accused founder and former CEO Watt of inappropriate behavior in a BBC Disclosure investigation.
Lawyers for Mr. Watt denied the allegations; however, Ofcom rejected complaints that Brewdog and Watt were unfairly treated by the programme.
In January of last year, the company faced criticism after announcing it would no longer hire new staff on the real living wage, opting instead to pay the lower legal minimum wage.
Mr. Watt stepped down as CEO last year, assuming the role of “captain and co-founder,” while retaining his shares in the company.
Martin Dickie is also retaining his shares in the company.
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