Disney Hires Morgan Stanley Analyst Benjamin Swinburne As Head Of Investor Relations

The Walt Disney Co. has hired veteran media analyst Benjamin Swinburne as EVP of Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy.

Swinburne comes to the company after a long stint at Morgan Stanley, which is also the alma mater of Disney Chairman James Gorman. He will be a key member of the executive team communicating with Wall Street as Disney goes through a major leadership change. Longtime CEO Bob Iger is due to hand the reins to his successor in the coming months, with a formal announcement expected in February.

The appointment was announced by CFO Hugh Johnston. In 2024, former IR chief Alexia Quadrani left the company after less than three years in the role.

Swinburne will join Disney “in the near future,” reporting directly to Johnston. With earnings season under way, Swinburne registered his presence on Charter Communications’ fourth-quarter earnings call Friday, just as the news of his Disney appointment was crossing the wire. Disney is scheduled to report earnings on Monday.

At Morgan Stanley, Swinburne held the title of Managing Director and Head of U.S. Media Research.

“Ben has been one of the industry’s most respected media analysts and brings deep insight into the evolving global entertainment landscape,” Johnston said in a statement. “His analytical rigor, strategic perspective, and long-standing knowledge of our business and broader industry make him an exceptional addition to our team as we continue to execute against our long‑term vision and deliver sustained value for our shareholders.”

In this new role, Swinburne will lead Disney’s investor relations function, communicating the company’s financial performance and long‑term strategic vision to institutional investors and retail shareholders, sell-side analysts and other stakeholders. He will also oversee the company’s long-term strategic planning and market analysis in his corporate strategy role, identifying growth opportunities based on industry trends and evolving entertainment consumption. 

“Having spent much of my career analyzing Disney’s performance and long‑term opportunities, I have a deep appreciation for the company’s creative strengths, operational discipline, and consistent focus on delivering value for shareholders,” Swinburne said. “It is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the company, and I look forward to working with the team to continue the incredible progress they have made to position Disney for future growth.”