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 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.