Bob Chapek’s position at the top of Disney had been shaky for months, according to people familiar with the matter.
Behind the surprise change in leadership at Walt Disney Co. on Sunday was festering discontent among investors and top executives including chief financial officer Christine McCarthy , who in recent weeks had expressed to directors her lack of confidence in chief executive Bob Chapek , according to people familiar with the matter.
Disney executives and investors had been complaining for months to the prior CEO, Robert Iger , about the direction of the company under Mr. Chapek, according to people familiar with the matter.
Mr. Iger advised some of these executives to take their concerns to the company’s board, some people familiar with the matter said.