By Stuart Thomson
The Walt Disney Company’s board has named Susan E. Arnold as chairman, effective December 31. Arnold, a 14-year member of the board who has served as its independent lead director since 2018, will succeed Bob Iger in the role when he leaves at the end of the year.
Arnold was formerly an operating executive of the equity investment firm The Carlyle Group, where she served from 2013 to 2021. Previously, she served as president, global business units at Procter & Gamble having served in other senior roles with the company. She also served as a director of McDonald’s from 2008 to 2016, and a director of NBTY from 2013 to 2017.
Iger has served as chairman since 2012, and as Disney’s executive chairman since 2020, when Bob Chapek took over the CEO role.
“Susan is an incredibly esteemed executive whose wealth of experience, unwavering integrity, and expert judgment have been invaluable to the Company since she first joined the Board in 2007. Having most recently served as independent Lead Director, Susan is the perfect choice for Chairman of the Board, and I am confident the Company is well-positioned for continued success under her guidance and leadership. It has been a distinct honour to work with Susan and our many other talented directors, and I am incredibly grateful for the support and wise counsel they have provided during my tenure,” said Iger
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Bob Iger for his extraordinary leadership over the past decade-and-a-half. Bob has led Disney to amazing heights both creatively and financially, with his clear strategic vision for delivering high-quality branded storytelling, embracing cutting-edge technology, and expanding internationally, and he’s left an indelible mark on The Walt Disney Company that will be felt for generations to come. As I step into this new role as Chairman of the Board, I look forward to continuing to serve the long-term interests of Disney’s shareholders and working closely with CEO Bob Chapek as he builds upon the company’s century-long legacy of creative excellence and innovation,” said Arnold.
