Sony restructures management team
Andrew House gets Kaz Hirai's old job.
Sony has shaken up its management team and promoted a key leader of the PlayStation business.
Kaz Hirai, of "Riiiidge Raaacer" fame, is now, wait for it, Representative Corporate Executive Officer and Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation, and President of Consumer Products & Services Group (CPSG). He's now also the Chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment. Bet that looks pretty on his business card.
Andrew House, who was previously Sony Computer Entertainment Europe boss, now has Hirai's old job at the top of Sony Computer Entertainment. From 1st September his business card will read: President and Group CEO of the entire Sony Computer Entertainment Group. Congratulations!
In his new role House is responsible for reinforcing and further accelerating the development of the PlayStation business.
Jim Ryan, Executive Vice President and Co-COO of SCEE, takes House's old job as CEO of SCEE starting 1st September.
"In fiscal 2010, we achieved profitability for the first time in five years as a result of group-wide united efforts, including continuous cost reduction for PS3 in which I first took the initiative after assuming President of SCEI in December 2006," said Hirai.
"We are facing new challenges this year, such as the successful launch of PlayStation Vita and further growth of PS3 platform as well as expansion of non-gaming business.
"I'm confident that the skills and expertise Andy has gained over two decades working for Sony and SCE Group will contribute enormously in leading the PlayStation business and to bring new initiatives in managing the business in the networked era."
Hirai is believed to be in-line to succeed under fire Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer, and was commended by Sony executives for his handling of the PlayStation Network hack crisis.
Meanwhile, Sony announced the retirement of Chairman Akira Sato. Ken Kutaragi, "The Father of the PlayStation", retires from his role as Honorary Chairman of SCEI on 28th June, but he will continue his role as senior technology adviser of Sony Corporation.
The new line-up of Board of Directors is as follows:
- Kazuo Hirai, Chairman
- Andrew House, President and Group CEO
- Kunimasa Suzuki, Deputy President
- Howard Stringer, Chairman, President and CEO of Sony Corporation
- Masaru Kato, Chief Financial Officer of Sony Corporation
Eurogamer's Andrew House E3 interview revealed Sony's strategy for Vita, PS3, 3D gaming and Move.