In a recent interview at the New York Times Dealbook Conference, Walt Disney’s Chief Executive Officer, Bob Iger, affirmed that he would “definitely” step down when his current contract concludes in 2026. Iger, 72, returned to Disney in November 2022 to oversee a revitalization of the media company after the departure of his hand-picked successor, Bob Chapek. Despite initially planning a two-year stay, Iger extended his tenure to 2026. The Disney board is actively engaged in a comprehensive search for a successor, with Iger stating that he is “definitely going to step down” at the end of his current contract.
During the interview, Iger dismissed rumors about the potential sale of the ABC broadcast network. In the wake of these announcements, Disney’s board revealed new appointments, welcoming Morgan Stanley CEO James P. Gorman and Jeremy Darroch, former group chief executive of Sky, as directors starting early next year. Gorman will contribute to the succession planning committee, while Darroch will join the audit committee. The statement also indicated that Francis deSouza, the current director, will not stand for re-election at Disney’s next annual meeting. Meanwhile, Iger expressed optimism about Shanghai Disneyland, indicating a bullish outlook and an expectation for the theme park’s expansion in the near future.