James Watt began his career studying law and economics at the University of Edinburgh before discovering that a conventional legal path was not for him. Instead, he embraced entrepreneurship, co-founding BrewDog in 2007 with fellow Scot Martin Dickie in Fraserburgh. Their goal was to challenge the mainstream beer industry with bold flavours, provocative branding and a “punk-brewery” ethos.

During Watt’s time as chief executive, BrewDog expanded from craft batches into a multinational business with brewing operations, bars and a strong global footprint. Watt developed a reputation for daring marketing stunts and a rapid growth strategy, which helped the company scale but also attracted considerable controversy. In May 2024 Watt stepped down as CEO after 17 years in the role and transitioned into a non-executive capacity as “captain and co-founder”, continuing to sit on the board and hold a significant shareholding.

Watt’s legacy lies in transforming BrewDog into one of Britain’s best-known craft beer brands and in fostering a culture of disruption in the drinks industry. At the same time, his career also serves as a case study in the challenges that accompany rapid growth, branding excess and leadership under public scrutiny.