Karl Holmes to lead Disney+ in EMEA

Sky executive Karl Holmes has been appointed to lead Disney+ in the EMEA region.

Holmes has been named SVP, Direct to Consumer & General Manager for Disney+ in EMEA and will step into the role in January 2025.

He joins from Sky where he has worked for the last 10 years, most recently as Chief Financial Officer for the UK and Ireland and Group Chief Data Officer. 

Holmes has also worked as Chief Operating Officer for Europe and Chief Consumer Revenue officer for the UK.

He replaces Luke Bradley-Jones who left earlier this year to become President at the Economist publishing group.

Holmes will assume responsibility for the Disney+ business across EMEA, leading the regional team and will be based in London.

He will report to both Jan Koeppen, President of The Walt Disney Company EMEA and Joe Earley, President, Direct-to-Consumer, Disney Entertainment.

Koeppen said: “Karl has a proven track record for building long-term success in consumer-facing businesses and I know under his leadership the team will flourish.”

Holmes added: “For years I’ve admired Disney’s unique position as a business. As a long-time fan of the brand, I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the company to lead direct-to-consumer in EMEA, after a fantastic decade at Sky.”