James Gorman’s career took a new direction in 2024 when he stepped down as Morgan Stanley’s CEO. He then served as the firm’s executive chairman for the rest of the year before leaving Morgan Stanley at the end of 2024.
Gorman went ahead to assume key positions at The Walt Disney Company and General Atlantic, while at Morgan Stanley, he was appointed chairman emeritus.
James Gorman Resigned as CEO of Morgan Stanley
Gorman was the CEO of Morgan Stanley between 2010 and 2023 and the chairman of Morgan Stanley between 2012 and 2023, as per the firm. Then, on January 1, 2024, Ted Pick became Morgan Stanley’s CEO. At that time Gorman stepped down as CEO and became executive chairman.
Gorman remained executive chairman throughout 2024. Then in October, Morgan Stanley announced that he would step down as chairman, leave the board and retire from employment at the firm at the end of the year. The company also said he would be named chairman emeritus.
James Gorman Became Disney Chairman in 2025
Gorman’s next major leadership role was at The Walt Disney Company. He joined Disney’s board in 2024 and served as chair of its Succession Planning Committee.
In October 2024, Disney announced that Gorman would become chairman of its board from January 2, 2025. He succeeded Mark G. Parker. Disney noted that Gorman was then serving as Morgan Stanley’s executive chairman and was scheduled to step down from that position on December 31, 2024.
Gorman therefore moved into the Disney chairmanship after his departure from Morgan Stanley, rather than holding the two chairmanships simultaneously.
James Gorman Joined General Atlantic as Senior Advisor
Gorman added another role in 2025. General Atlantic announced that he would join the firm as a senior advisor effective April 1.
The investment firm said Gorman would advise on enterprise strategy and growth initiatives across its global, diversified investment platform. In its announcement, General Atlantic described him as chairman emeritus of Morgan Stanley and chairman of The Walt Disney Company.
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From Morgan Stanley CEO to a Portfolio of Roles
Gorman’s transition happened in stages, he stepped down as Morgan Stanley’s CEO on January 1, 2024, became executive chairman and remained with the firm through the end of that year. He then left Morgan Stanley and became chairman emeritus in January 2025.
In 2025, he became the chairman of Disney and also a senior advisor at General Atlantic. This was a change from his position as the CEO of Morgan Stanley to holding senior leadership and advisory roles across several organizations.
