Brewdog has appointed former Wagamama operations director Lisa Buckley as its new chief retail officer, just days after chief executive James Brown officially stepped down.

Buckley is set to start the new role in January next year and will join the BrewDog senior leadership team, reporting into new CEO James Arrow.

Prior to joining the beer brand, Buckley was CEO of immersive TV programme company Leisure TV Rights, but has also held senior roles in food companies, including Wagamama UK operations director and Côte Brasserie managing director.

Other experience includes roles within Tragus Group and Casual Dining Group (CDG), overseeing the Bella Italia and Café Rouge restaurants.

As chief retail officer at BrewDog, Buckley will be responsible for overseeing the craft brewers’ global retail footprint of hospitality venues.

Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free

Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning

Brewdog CEO James Arrow said: “I’m focused on hiring exceptional new talent into the business and strengthening our leadership team and I’m thrilled Lisa will be joining us.

“She brings an incredible array of hospitality experience and is a critical hire as we evolve as a brand, develop our crew and customer offer, scale globally and importantly drive profitability across our business. Lisa shares our passion for people, beer and the planet, and I’m looking forward to welcoming her to our senior leadership team”.

The new appointment comes mere days after Brewdog bars chief executive James Brown officially exited the company after nine years to take up a new role at Italian restaurant chain Prezzo.

Brewdog posted an operating loss of almost £60m in its first half, despite its grocery sales edging up 2%, in results that co-founder James Watt described as “frustrating”.