The Walt Disney Co. has named Paul Richardson as chief human resources officer effective July 1, the company said Thursday.
Richardson is currently senior vp human resources for ESPN and was Disney’s first chief diversity officer. He succeeds longtime veteran Jayne Parker, who announced she is leaving Disney at the end of June after a 33-year career.
“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,” Disney CEO Bob Chapek said in a statement. “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.”
Related Stories
Richardson will report directly to Chapek. He will be responsible for leading the conglomerate’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, according to the company.
“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,” Richardson said in a statement. “Our employees and cast members are absolutely key to Disney’s success, and their exceptional talent, ingenuity, diverse backgrounds and experiences, and 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.”
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day