Bob Iger’s Disney Exit Date Set as New CEO Revealed

The search for Disney‘s new CEO has concluded. Current CEO Bob Iger now has an exit date, as his successor will start soon.

Who is the next CEO of Disney?

On Monday, the Walt Disney Company Board of Directors unanimously voted to elect Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro as the company’s next CEO. Elevating D’Amaro to CEO goes into effect on March 18, 2026. The board is expected to name D’Amaro as a director following the March meeting.

D’Amaro, 54, has worked at Disney for nearly 30 years. D’Amaro runs Disney Experiences, the company’s largest business segment, with $36 billion in annual revenue in 2025. D’Amaro oversaw 12 theme parks and 57 resort hotels. The Disney veteran has played an integral role in creating popular theme park experiences, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and World of Frozen.

“Disney’s strength has always come from our people and the creative excellence that defines our stories and experiences,” D’Amaro said. “There is no limit to what Disney can achieve, and I am excited to work with our teams across the company and brilliant creative partners to honor Disney’s remarkable legacy while continuing to innovate, grow, and deliver exceptional value for our consumers and shareholders.

D’Amaro succeeds Iger, who initially served as Disney CEO from 2005 to 2020 and returned to the same position in 2022. Iger will continue to serve as Senior Advisor and a Disney Board member until his retirement on December 31, 2026.

“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” Iger said in a press release. “He has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand, and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences, paired with the rigor and attention to detail required to deliver some of our most ambitious projects. His ability to combine creativity with operational excellence is exemplary, and I am thrilled for Josh and the company.”

In addition to D’Amaro’s appointment, Dana Walden, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, has been named President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company. The move also goes into effect on March 18. Walden will report directly to D’Amaro.