BrewDog chairman Allan Leighton has said the firm has an "incredible future" ahead of it, but that its top priority is making sure it is the best employer it can be.
In a statement published on the Ellon-based beer giant's website yesterday, Mr Leighton, responded to the BBC Disclosure documentary which made a series of allegations against the firm's CEO James Watt.
Mr Watt has said the claims made in the documentary are "not accurate" and are based on rumour and misinformation. He is taking legal action against the BBC.
Wide-ranging action
The programme followed a open letter by a group of former BrewDog employees calling themselves “Punks With Purpose” which raised concerns about the firm's culture.
Mr Leighton said: “Since the publication of the open letter in 2021, we have overseen a major independent review into our culture, which included reaching out to all signatories and all leavers over the past 12 months, and we have implemented a wide-ranging action plan to address the issues raised.
"To those former crew members for whom BrewDog failed to meet their expectations, we are sorry. To those who felt strongly enough about their experience to participate in the programme, we urge them to get in touch with our HR Team or use our independent ethics hotline so we can listen and act.
"Their feedback is hugely valuable. Any allegations of impropriety are taken extremely seriously."
'Considerable regret'
On the BBC programme, Mr Leighton added: "James has provided full assurance that the BBC’s claims are not accurate and are based on rumour and misinformation. Where a complaint was raised in the US, these were fully investigated by an external third party and found to be without substance.
"James has committed to making improvements to his management style and he will continue that development under my mentorship. He has expressed considerable regret if his manner has in any way made crew feel uncomfortable – that is clearly not his intention and goes specifically against the collaborative culture we want to build.
"Under James’s leadership, BrewDog has grown from a 2 part-time employee start-up to a global brewer with over 100 bars, 5 hotels, 2,400 employees, with plans for considerable growth in 2022, with the creation of over 1,000 new jobs this year. In addition, BrewDog has taken a true leadership position in terms of sustainability.
"We have an incredible future, but our overriding priority is making sure we are the best employer we can be and that our people feel safe, valued and fulfilled. We will continue to provide updates on our journey.”