PlayStation’s New Leader: Farewell to the Co-CEO Structure

Sony Group Corporation is making changes to its management team (we won’t even go into the non-PlayStation changes), and with it, changes at the top of Sony Interactive Entertainment.

 

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has announced that Hideaki Nishino will become CEO of SIE as of April 1st. Previously (since June 1st last year) he was only CEO of the platform business group, while his partner Hermen Hulst headed the studio business group. There have been two co-CEOs and this will change with Nishino’s appointment. Hulst will remain in his position and report to Nishino, essentially becoming the new CEO’s right-hand man.

In addition to leading SIE, Nishino will also oversee the platform’s business group, while Hulst will oversee SIE’s internal game development, publishing and business operations. Hiroki Totoki, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Sony Group Corporation, will become CEO of the company, replacing current CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, who will become a director, representative corporate executive officer and president. Lin Tao, who currently serves as Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Development and Strategy of SIE, will step down from his position and become Chief Financial Officer of Sony Group Corporation. Mr. Tao’s successor will be named by SIE at a later date.

“I am truly honored to take the helm at SIE. Technology and creativity are two of our greatest strengths as we continue to focus on creating experiences that deliver entertainment for everyone. We will continue to grow the PlayStation community in new ways, such as [intellectual property] expansion, while delivering the best in technology innovation. I would like to thank Hermen for his expertise and leadership as he continues in his role as CEO, Studio Business Group. I am deeply grateful for the PlayStation community and their continued support, and I am very excited about what the future holds,” Nishino said in a press release.

“It has been a pleasure to work more closely with Hermen and Nishino and to gain insight into the ever-changing, fast-paced world of SIE. As we pass the baton to Nishino and this exceptional leadership team, I am confident that SIE will reach new heights in the days ahead. After 30 years of delivering exceptional entertainment around the world, this marks an exciting new chapter for SIE, underscoring its commitment to fostering creativity and building meaningful connections for millions of players. I am delighted to welcome Lin as my successor as CFO of Sony Group Corporation. Lin has been instrumental in our success at SIE, leading the finance, corporate development and strategy functions, and I look forward to working closely with her at Sony Group Corporation,” said Totoki.

Kenichiro Yoshida added, “To ensure that my successor contributes to Sony’s future long-term growth, I have been in discussion with the Nomination Committee and the Board of Directors for some time. Based on Hiroki Totoki’s contributions to Sony, including his achievements since his appointment as President and COO in April 2023, I have proposed to them that he succeed me as CEO this April. I am grateful to the Nomination Committee and the Board for their support of this proposal. Totoki has been a key member of the management team since I became President and CEO in April 2018. He has spearheaded the Sony Group’s growth strategies, such as our investments in content IP and semiconductors, and is a leader capable of shaping our vision and strategy for future growth. Going forward, I will support Totoki as he leads his new management team.”

Nishino can only be better than Jim Ryan!

Source: Gematsu

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Anikó, our news editor and communication manager, is more interested in the business side of the gaming industry. She worked at banks, and she has a vast knowledge of business life. Still, she likes puzzle and story-oriented games, like Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments, which is her favourite title. She also played The Sims 3, but after accidentally killing a whole sim family, swore not to play it again. (For our office address, email and phone number check out our IMPRESSUM)

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