Disney Appoints Former Apple Executive Jeff Williams as New Independent Director
Disney’s board of directors has nominated former Apple executive Jeff Williams to join its ranks, potentially expanding the governing body to eleven members.
Shareholders will have the opportunity to vote on Williams’ nomination as an independent director, along with the re-election of the current ten directors, during the upcoming annual shareholder meeting, the date of which has yet to be determined.
The nomination comes at a pivotal time for Disney leadership, as CEO Bob Iger prepares to wind down his tenure. The board’s Succession Planning Committee has announced plans to identify Iger’s successor early next year, ahead of the expiration of his contract at the end of 2026. Iger, who is currently in his second term as CEO, returned to Disney in November 2022 following a challenging period under Bob Chapek’s leadership.
Josh D’Amaro, overseeing Disney’s theme parks, and Dana Walden, co-chair of entertainment, are seen as leading candidates for the CEO position, focusing primarily on internal contenders.
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Williams recently retired as Chief Operating Officer at Apple, a role he held since 2015. During his tenure, he managed the design team and supervised Apple’s global supply chain, service, and support functions. His nearly thirty-year career at Apple includes significant achievements, such as the launch of the Apple Watch and the development of the company’s health and fitness strategy.
“Jeff Williams is a highly accomplished executive who for decades helped steward one of the most innovative and admired companies that serves billions of consumers across the globe,” stated Disney board chairman James Gorman. “Jeff’s proven leadership and unique experience at the intersection of technology, global operations and product design make him a valuable nominee to our board as the company continues to focus on creative storytelling and groundbreaking innovation.”
The relationship between Disney and Apple has deep roots, largely fostered by Iger, who developed a close rapport with the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs. This connection led to Disney’s acquisition of Pixar, co-founded by Jobs, after years of distributing its animated films. Iger also served on Apple’s board, stepping down when the streaming service Apple TV launched in 2019.
Williams was appointed COO of Apple in December 2015 after joining the company in 1998 as head of worldwide procurement. He was promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2004, where he contributed to the launch of the first iPhone in 2007 and took charge of worldwide product operations, including the supply chain. Before his tenure at Apple, Williams held various engineering and operational roles at IBM.
“I have long admired Disney’s legacy of pairing imagination with innovation – leveraging new technologies in bold, creative ways to bring to life timeless stories and entertain its guests,” Williams remarked. “It is an honor to be nominated to the board of this storied company. I look forward to working with Disney’s talented leadership team and contributing to the company’s ongoing journey of creativity and excellence.”
