Disney names theme parks boss Josh D’Amaro as new CEO; to succeed Bob Iger

Walt Disney Co has named Josh D’Amaro as its next chief executive officer, elevating the executive who oversees its theme parks and cruise business to the top job at the entertainment group. D’Amaro will succeed Bob Iger, becoming the ninth CEO in Disney’s 102-year history.

The appointment places Disney’s most profitable division at the centre of its leadership, with parks, cruises and consumer products now driving the bulk of the company’s earnings. The role will require D’Amaro not only to manage

Disney’s vast global operations but also to act as its highly visible public face.

D’Amaro emerged victorious from a closely-watched internal contest with Dana Walden, Disney’s Entertainment Co-Chair, ending more than a year of speculation in Hollywood. The board was keen to ensure a smooth transition after its previous succession attempt faltered. In 2020, Disney appointed former parks head Bob Chapek as CEO, only to dismiss him two years later and reinstate Iger.

The latest succession process was overseen by James Gorman, who became Disney chairman in 2024 following a widely-praised leadership transition at Morgan Stanley. Iger had been chairman when Chapek was selected.

Investors will now look to D’Amaro to articulate and execute a clear growth strategy, with Disney shares still nearly 50% below their 2021 peak and largely stagnant over the past three years.

Now 54, D’Amaro has spent 28 years at Disney, largely within its parks operations in the US and overseas, including leadership roles at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida. Since 2020, he has chaired Disney’s experiences division.

That division accounted for 38% of group revenue and 57% of operating income in the last fiscal year. Disney plans to invest $60 billion in parks and cruises by 2033, the largest such commitment in its history.

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D’Amaro is also seen as a champion of gaming, having backed a $1.5-billion investment in Epic Games in 2024, though some critics argue his background offers less exposure to creative talent than rivals from the entertainment side.

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