Walt Disney has named Paul Richardson as its next CHRO. The position is to be effective July 2021 onwards. Richardson will succeed the long-serving veteran, Jayne Parker, as per the information given out to the media by Bob Chapek- CEO, Walt Disney, to whom Richardson will report directly.
Richardson has been serving as the SVP-HR, ESPN and as the first chief diversity officer of Disney. In his new role, Richardson will be responsible for global talent acquisition and policies. He will look after workforce diversity, employee education and development, HR operations and global technical security.
Chapek is confident that Richardson will successfully “enrich the employee experience by championing the unique talents and perspectives of our diverse, global workforce.”
Richardson looks forward to supporting the workforce at Disney, which possesses“ exceptional talent, ingenuity, diverse backgrounds and experiences, and a deep sense of commitment even in the most trying times. ”He is eager to “work with Disney’s 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.”
Richardson has been serving in his current role at ESPN since 2007, looking after 50 different business units and approximately 5,000 employees around the world. As the chief diversity officer of Disney, from 2011 to 2017, Richardson was responsible for partnering with around 50 departments of Disney to strategise the diversity and inclusion programme.
However, Richardson started his career as an attorney before he shifted to human resources. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Arts as well as political science, and a Juris Doctor degree or JD from the University of Southern California.
