Karl Holmes joining US giant to oversee Disney+ and direct-to-consumer operations

Disney has appointed Sky’s UK & Ireland finance chief to oversee flagship streamer Disney+ in EMEA. 

Karl Holmes will join the US giant in January as senior vice-president, direct-to-consumer and general manager of Disney+ for the territory, replacing Luke Bradley-Jones who stood down earlier this year to join The Economist. 

Karl Holmes

In his London-based role, Holmes will assume responsibility for the Disney+ business across EMEA, leading the regional team. He will report to both Jan Koeppen, president, The Walt Disney Company EMEA, and Joe Earley, president, direct-to-consumer, Disney Entertainment.   

Holmes brings over 15 years’ experience in the media field having previously served as chief financial officer of 21st Century Fox and as a board member for Tata Sky. 

Most recently, he spent a decade at pay-TV giant Sky, holding myriad roles including CFO of UK&I, chief operating officer of Europe and chief consumer revenue officer UK before taking up his current position of chief financial officer of UK&I and group chief data officer 18 months ago. 

Koeppen said: “Karl will join Disney+ in EMEA at a time when our D2C business goes from strength to strength across our region. With its award-winning shows and movies, Disney+ has something for everyone.  

“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 said: “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.  

“I look forward to working with Jan, Joe and their brilliant teams as we head into the fifth year of Disney+ and bring Disney’s incredible storytelling to even more people.”