D’Amaro emerged from a closely watched internal succession race that also included Dana Walden, Disney’s entertainment co-chair, ending more than a year of speculation in Hollywood and on Wall Street. The board was keen to ensure a smoother transition after its previous succession plan faltered. In 2020, Disney had elevated then-parks chief Bob Chapek to CEO, only to remove him two years later and bring Iger back to stabilise the company.
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Storyboard04-02-2026, 10:50

Disney Names Parks Chief Josh D’Amaro as New CEO, Succeeding Bob Iger

  • Walt Disney Co. has appointed Josh D’Amaro, head of its theme parks, cruise lines, and consumer products business, as its ninth CEO.
  • D’Amaro succeeds Bob Iger, becoming CEO at a time when Disney's parks and experiences division is its most profitable.
  • His appointment follows a closely watched internal succession race and aims for a smoother transition after previous CEO Bob Chapek's short tenure.
  • Investors expect D’Amaro to articulate a clear growth narrative, with Disney shares significantly below their 2021 peak.
  • D’Amaro, with nearly three decades at Disney, has led the Experiences division since 2020, which accounted for 57% of operating income last fiscal year.

Why It Matters: Josh D’Amaro, Disney's parks chief, is the new CEO, signaling a focus on experiences and physical assets.

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