BrewDog president and chief operating officer David McDowall is quitting the controversial north-east craft brewer to take over as chief executive at pub chain Stonegate Group.
Stonegate’s current CEO, Simon Longbottom, is due to exit his role at the end of February 2023.
Mr McDowall joined Ellon-based BrewDog as retail managing director in December 2014.
He became COO in July 2019 and took on additional duties as group president on November 2020. He was previously operations director at hospitality firm G1 Group, now The Scotsman Group, whose hotel portfolio includes the Palm Court in Aberdeen.
Pub chain has ‘clear potential’
Speaking about his next challenge, Mr McDowall said he was passionate about pubs and the wider brewing sector and looking forward to “further unlocking the clear potential” of Stonegate.
BrewDog has been at the heart of many controversies over the years, ranging from the attention-grabbing names of its brews to allegations of bullying and sexism amid claims of a “culture of fear” among the workforce.
Only this week the company has been widely criticised over a “disingenuous” anti-sponsorship campaign against the football World Cup in Qatar, despite it selling its beers in the Middle East country and its plans to show televised matches in its pubs.
BrewDog is donating profits from the sale of its Lost Lager for the duration of tournament to charity.
It said it was “kicking off” over Qatar in protest over human rights abuses and the estimated 6,500 migrant workers who have died building the World Cup stadiums.
West Midlands-based Stonegate was formed in November 2010 following the acquisition of 333 pubs from Mitchell & Butlers.
It now runs about 4,500 pubs throughout the UK.
Stonegate-run pubs among Aberdeen’s favourites
These include a string of bars in Aberdeen – Triplekirks, Foundry, the Bobbin and Black Dog, as well as Murdos and Slains Castle. The managed portfolio also includes two Inverness pubs, Lauders and the Caledonian.
The Slug & Lettuce and Walkabout bar chains are also part of Stonegate’s business empire.
Mr Longbottom, CEO since October 2014, is leaving the group to pursue interests abroad but will remain a shareholder.
He said: “It’s been an amazing journey but the time is now right for me to pursue other interests abroad.”
Stonegate founder and chairman Ian Payne said: “Simon leaves Stonegate in excellent health and trading extremely well.
“The board is confident that David will continue to drive Stonegate forward and take advantage of the many opportunities ahead.”
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