Catherine Powell
Catherine Powell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1967 |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Oxford University |
| Employer | Airbnb |
| Title | Head of Experiences |
| Spouse | Hugh Powell |
| Children | 3 |
Catherine Clare Powell (born in 1967), is a British businesswoman. She was most recently the President of the Disney Parks, Western Region, where she oversaw Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disneyland Paris.
Early career
Born in the United Kingdom in 1967, Powell left with her family to live in Hong Kong at the age of 8. She attended boarding school in England (Downe House), before studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Somerville College, Oxford.
With the benefit of some previous professional experience in television, Powell joined BBC Worldwide[1] in 1997.
Career at Disney
Catherine Powell joined The Walt Disney Company in 2004 as creative director, Group Portfolio. She then became executive director of sales at Disney Media Distribution in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and then vice president of the same department, at which point her scope broadened to include Scandinavia, the Benelux, and Israel. Several years later, Powell led the media distribution department for The Walt Disney Company in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. She oversaw the conception and implementation of marketing strategies for group’s television channels, such as Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and ABC News. In June 2014, Powell left Europe to become managing director of the Walt Disney Company in Australia and New Zealand. Based in the Sydney office, she was responsible for the implementation of the company’s strategy, the coordination and management of all departments, supervising international franchise opportunities, the development of existing subsidiaries, and exploring new development possibilities in the region.
In April 2016, Catherine Powell was appointed présidente of the Euro Disney group, succeeding Tom Wolber in that role with effect from July 2016.
Powell was named President, Disney Parks, Western Region in March 2018, with responsibility for Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and Disneyland Paris.
It was announced on September 23, 2019 that Powell's position was eliminated and that she would be leaving Disney after 15 years with the company "to do something different."[2]
Personal Life
Catherine married her husband, Hugh Powell in 1993[3] They have three sons, Josh, Nat & Laurie. Due to the familys frequent moves due to Hugh's job, their eldest son was born in Paris, the second in Germany and the third baby in the UK. [4]
Other activities
She has been a member of the Sydney Opera House Trust since January 2016[5] and elected member of Chief Executive Women in Australia.
References
- ^ To Infinity and Beyond: How Disney is focusing on the future, Adnews, 8 December 2015
- ^ Palmeri, Christopher (September 23, 2019). "Bloomberg - Disney's U.S. Parks Chief Leaves After 15 Years With Company". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ https://www.tatler.com/gallery/hugh-and-catherine-powells-wedding#:~:text=Hugh%20Powell%20has%20just%20taken,at%20the%20age%20of%2026.
- ^ https://www.perishablenews.com/produce/exclusively-at-global-trade-symposium-global-business-executive-catherine-powell-who-most-recently-oversaw-disneyland-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-paris-shares-her-unique-life-and-corporate-e/
- ^ "Sydney Opera House Trust". Archived from the original on 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2016-07-19.