CITY WHISPERS: THG boss Matt Moulding backs whinger James Watt after BrewSob story

By CALUM MUIRHEAD, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, FINANCIAL MAIL ON SUNDAY

Updated:

BrewDog boss and serial corporate whinger James Watt took to social networking site LinkedIn last week to defend the craft beer giant's decision to stop paying staff the 'real' living wage, which is higher than the legal minimum. 

Not long after posting about how unfair the 'media storm' was and how 'incredibly difficult' the decision had been, Watt quickly received the support of (you guessed it) THG's Matt Moulding.

The e-commerce entrepreneur, who is known for his own long-winded claims of oppression by media, encouraged Watt to 'keep smashing it' and said the UK 'needs more BrewDogs'.

Serial whinger: BrewDog boss James Watt took to LinkedIn to defend the craft beer giant's decision to stop paying staff the 'real' living wage

Serial whinger: BrewDog boss James Watt took to LinkedIn to defend the craft beer giant's decision to stop paying staff the 'real' living wage

We also spotted that Watt may be considering legal action after he agreed with one supporter on social media that there was 'surely' a case 'for at least 2-3 libel claims'.

We wonder if Watt – who launched BrewDog in 2007 – is exempting financial freesheet City AM, which Moulding owns, from his general moaning about the media.

Oil giant keeping interim chief 

BP'S much-anticipated search for a new boss finally ended last week when it decided to, er, just keep on the interim chief executive. 

Murray Auchincloss stepped in after Bernard Looney quit abruptly in September for not being 'fully transparent' about his relationships with colleagues. 

Someone must also have nudged Looney, who until recently still listed himself as BP boss on LinkedIn despite his exit four months ago. 

Belgium sets up first Davos 'house' 

The annual World Economic Forum's gathering in Davos is known for its 'houses' – properties in the Swiss ski town where countries will often set up shop to trumpet their credentials in a bid to lure investment.

Attendees last week were treated to a new arrival. The Belgians opened their first-ever house at the meeting in a bid to showcase their 'technology and innovation'.

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo hosted three events and the King and Queen made an appearance.

Just in case you weren't convinced of their dedication, they even managed to rope in Microsoft founder Bill Gates for a panel on clean tech and net zero.

The question is: how many turned up just for the moules and frites?

Arix Bioscience investors urged to back merger 

Investors in a small firm previously backed by Neil Woodford have been urged to agree to a merger later this month.

Arix Bioscience launched a strategic review last year due to the presence of activist Acacia and it began looking for a buyer.

The bid from RTW was initially slammed for paying Acacia in cash and other investors in stock – but things are looking better now that RTW's share price has risen.

Proxy advisers ISS said the deal 'provides a reasonable outcome' for non-Acacia shareholders.

It's a shame to lose another firm on the London market, but better that shareholders are left in a good place if we do.

                                                                                                                 Contributor: Francesca Washtell 

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