Big news from The Walt Disney Company! James P. Gorman has been appointed as the new Chair of Disney’s Succession Planning Committee. Gorman, who joined Disney’s Board earlier this year and serves as Executive Chairman of Morgan Stanley, is no stranger to leadership transitions. During his tenure at Morgan Stanley, he oversaw their intricate succession process, ensuring a stable shift in leadership roles.
Mark Parker, the Chairman of Disney’s Board, had this to say: “James is a highly respected leader, and we’ve asked him to serve as the new Chair of the Succession Planning Committee given his deep succession planning experience and long-term strategic mentality. Succession planning is a top priority of the Board, and I am eager to continue collaborating with James on the Committee as we advance the important work we have already been doing to identify and prepare the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company.”
The Succession Planning Committee isn’t working alone. Directors Mary Barra and Calvin McDonald, who have extensive experience handling CEO and senior leadership transitions for Fortune 500 companies, will join Gorman. This committee is laser-focused on securing the right leader to follow in the footsteps of current CEO Bob Iger.
Speaking of Iger, his return as CEO in late 2022 after initially stepping down in February 2020 was significant. Known for expanding Disney’s empire with acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox, Iger’s leadership has been pivotal. However, his return came with the primary objective of setting up a permanent leadership transition.
James Gorman seems like an excellent fit for this mission. With his background at Morgan Stanley and experience at Merrill Lynch and McKinsey & Co., he brings a wealth of knowledge in corporate strategy and governance. His leadership skills will undoubtedly be crucial as Disney navigates this critical transition.
What are your thoughts on James Gorman’s appointment? Who do you think should be the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company? Share your ideas in the comments below, and let’s get the conversation going!
Source: [WDWMAGIC Staff](https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/walt-disney-company/news/22aug2024-disney-appoints-james-gorman-as-chair-of-succession-planning-committee.htm)
