Disney to announce successor to chief executive Bob Iger in early 2026

Incoming chairman says its 'critical priority'  is to appoint a new CEO

Longstanding chief executive of Disney Bob Iger came out of retirement in 2022 after the ousting of his original successor Bob Chapek. 

The incoming chairman of the Walt Disney Company has said the “critical priority” is to appoint a successor to its longstanding chief executive Bob Iger which is expected to be announced in early 2026.

On Monday, the entertainment giant announced that the former chief executive of US bank Morgan Stanley James Gorman as its new chairman of the board. The current chairman Mark Parker is departing the board on January 2 after nine years.

Mr Gorman, who was previously appointed in August as Disney’s head of succession planning, said the “critical priority” for the company is to appoint a new chief executive which “we now expect to announce in early 2026”.

“This timing reflects the progress the Succession Planning Committee and the board are making, and will allow ample time for a successful transition before the conclusion of Bob Iger’s contract in December 2026.” 

Speculation

The issue of who will be Disney’s next chief executive has been tumultuous and a subject of much speculation. 

Mr Iger returned to the top job in late 2022 for an initial period of two years after the ouster of his handpicked successor, Bob Chapek. 

The company has since extended his contract. In Iger’s first tenure, he and the board negotiated several extensions over 15 years.

Mr Iger has insisted he is leaving this time for good when his contract expires.

Disney is weighing both internal and external candidates to succeed Iger, whose second term as CEO runs through 2026.

Disney’s four divisional heads — TV chief Dana Walden, ESPN’s Jimmy Pitaro, theme-parks boss Josh D’Amaro and Alan Bergman, who heads the film business — are competing for the top job, Bloomberg has reported.

Bloomberg