BREAKING: New Disney CEO To Be Named in Early 2026

The subject of leadership has been a hot topic in The Walt Disney Company for a few years now.

Burbank Disney Company Headquarters ©️LA Times

Back in 2020, Bob Chapek was named CEO, but he only served for two years before leaving the position in 2022 and being replaced by his predecessor, Bob Iger. Iger has been serving as CEO since, but his second term as head of the company includes an additional goal on his to-do list — find a suitable successor.

In 2023, Bob Iger’s contract was extended through the end of 2026, so when will we find out who the next CEO will be? Well, the New York Times now reports that Disney will announce its next CEO in early 2026.

This timeline is due to a shakeup within the board of directors for the company. James P. Gorman, who joined the board in February, will become Disney’s next Chairman on January 2nd, 2025. Gorman is a veteran Wall Street banker who will replace Mark G. Parker, who has been in the role for two years.

Cinderella Castle

“A critical priority before us is to appoint a new C.E.O., which we now expect to announce in early 2026,” James Gorman said in a statement. “This timing reflects the progress the succession planning committee and the board are making and will allow ample time for a successful transition.”

In August, Gorman was put in charge of the search for Iger’s successor. Iger has said publicly that he’ll definitely be leaving at the end of his contract in 2026. (Although some people are skeptical of this since Iger has delayed his retirement multiple times in the past.)

There are a few different names that have come up in relation to the CEO search, including the four main division leaders at the company: Dana Walden (TV), Josh D’Amaro (Experiences), Alan Bergman (Movies), and Jimmy Pitaro (ESPN).