Originally published at thewaltdisneycompany.com.
On April 29, Chief Executive Officer Bob Chapek appointed Paul Richardson as the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of The Walt Disney Company, effective July 1. Mr. Richardson, who is currently Senior Vice President, Human Resources for ESPN and was Disney’s first Chief Diversity Officer, will succeed longtime veteran Jayne Parker, who previously announced she is leaving the Company at the end of June after a 33-year career at Disney and will work closely with Mr. Richardson during the transition.
As Chief Human Resources Officer, Mr. Richardson will report directly to Mr. Chapek and will be responsible for leading Disney’s human resources strategy, global talent acquisition, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, organizational design and cultural development, employee education and development, compensation and benefits, HR operations and technology, employee relations, and global security.
“Paul Richardson is a supremely talented, strategic and personable leader with a deep passion for enriching the employee experience by championing the unique talents and perspectives of our diverse, global workforce,” Mr. Chapek said. “I can think of no one better suited than Paul to build on the incredible work of Jayne Parker, who in 12 years leading Disney’s Human Resources function has had an indelible impact on the company, fostering a culture that has attracted and developed the industry’s best creative talent and most accomplished business leaders.”
“It is a tremendous honor to be named to this role, and I want to thank Bob for the amazing opportunity and Jayne for her mentorship and friendship over these many years,” Mr. Richardson said. “Our employees and Cast Members are absolutely key to Disney’s success, and their exceptional talent, ingenuity, diverse backgrounds and experiences, and a deep sense of commitment even in the most trying times are truly an inspiration. I look forward to supporting them and working with our HR leaders around the world as we advance the Company’s ambitious business goals and further cement Disney’s well-earned reputation as one of the most desirable places to work.”
In his current role leading human resources at ESPN, which he has held since 2007, MrFairness