Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS, ETR:WDP) has tasked Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) executive chairman James Gorman with finding a replacement for outgoing chief executive Bob Iger.
Gorman was appointed head of Disney’s succession planning committee on Wednesday, having overseen such a process at the Wall Street bank before he stepped down as chief executive earlier this year.
This comes as the entertainment giant searches for a replacement for Iger, who originally took the helm in 2005.
Internal candidates are “going through a preparation process” and “mentorship” from Iger ahead of his planned departure in 2026, Disney said on Wednesday.
These include Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairs, as well as ESPN chair Jimmy Pitaro and Disney Parks head Josh D’Amaro.
Disney has also previously said external candidates would be considered for Iger’s role, which he first left in 2020, before rejoining after replacement Bob Chapek was ousted in 2022.
“We’ve asked [Gorman] to serve as the new chair of the succession planning committee given his deep succession planning experience and long-term strategic mentality,” Disney chair Mark Parker commented.
“Succession planning is a top priority of the board.”