Brewdog Co-founder James Watt Faces Data Watchdog Complaints Over Shareholder Contacts

Brewdog co-founder James Watt is facing complaints to the UK data watchdog after he reportedly contacted former shareholders as part of efforts to take back control of the craft brewer.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said it was "assessing" information following complaints related to Watt.

Earlier this year, US drinks firm Tilray took over Brewdog in a deal worth about £33m after the company collapsed with debts of more than £500m, leading to hundreds of job losses.

The administration process saw Brewdog shut 36 bars while the takeover deal rendered the shares of about 200,000 crowdfunding investors worthless.

Tilray bought Brewdog's brand, intellectual property, UK breweries and 11 bars.

Watt stepped down as chief executive of the brand in 2024 to become its "captain and co-founder".

On Wednesday, Watt made a bid to buy back the Scottish craft beer firm just months after it was acquired.

He tabled an offer to buy Brewdog through his new beer firm, Second Best, claiming that 43,000 so-called equity punk investors had joined forces for the bid.

The Guardian has reported that a number of shareholders contacted by Watt said they did not understand how he had their contact details, raising concerns about a potential breach of the general data protection regulation (GDPR).

The data privacy rules are overseen by the ICO.

"We are aware of an incident involving Brewdog and we are assessing the information provided," an ICO spokeswoman said.

Watt has been contacted for comment.

He co-founded Brewdog with Martin Dickie in Aberdeenshire in 2007.

At its peak, the company had four breweries, about 100 pubs worldwide and was said to be worth more than $1bn.