Disney has announced a major shift at the highest level of its leadership. On 18th March 2026, Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, will take over from Bob Iger as chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, bringing to a close a long-running succession process and signalling a new chapter for the entertainment giant.
D’Amaro, 54, has spent almost three decades with Disney, starting his career in 1998 and rising through roles that included president of both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort before becoming head of the global parks, resorts, cruise lines, Imagineering and consumer products division. Under his leadership, Disney’s parks and experiences business became the company’s largest revenue contributor, eclipsing $36 billion in annual sales and driving a $60 billion global investment plan that includes new lands and international parks expansion.
The board of directors’ decision follows years of careful planning and internal discussions about how best to succeed Iger, who returned as CEO in 2022 after a turbulent period under his predecessor, Bob Chapek. Iger will step down as CEO at the annual meeting in March but will remain a senior adviser and board member through the end of 2026 to help ensure a smooth transition.
Alongside D’Amaro’s promotion, Disney named Dana Walden as president and chief creative officer, a newly created position that will focus on storytelling and creative strategy across the company’s vast entertainment portfolio. Walden, who previously co-chaired Disney’s entertainment divisions, is one of the few executives outside of D’Amaro considered for the top job, underscoring the board’s effort to balance operational strength with creative excellence.
In his first public statement since the announcement, D’Amaro emphasised the importance of Disney’s employees, known as cast members, and its global community of fans, calling the opportunity to lead “an extraordinary company” a profound honour. He also praised Walden’s new role and acknowledged the foundational role Iger’s leadership has played in shaping the company’s trajectory.
Bob Iger, whose tenure included transformative acquisitions and the launch of Disney’s streaming business, leaves a complex legacy. While his stewardship expanded Disney’s global reach, the company faces pressures across its streaming services and media businesses amid rapid shifts in technology and audience behaviour. D’Amaro inherits this challenging landscape, along with the task of uniting Disney’s creative and commercial ambitions for the years ahead.
The leadership change ends a period of uncertainty over Disney’s succession planning and places a spotlight on how the iconic brand will adapt in a media environment marked by fierce competition and evolving audience expectations.