A Sony Group Corporation and the Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced that Jim Ryanhead of PlayStation and CEO of Sonywill retire in March 2024. It was also revealed that the president and director of operations of Sony Group Corporation, Hiroki Totokiwill become the interim CEO of Sony from April 1, 2024.
Jim Ryan joined the Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe (SIEE) — which was then Sony Computer Entertainment Europe — in 1994. Since then, he has held several senior positions at the company, including President of SIEE, Head of Global Sales and Marketing at SIE, and Vice President of SIE since January 2018, before to be named President and CEO of SIE.
Why is Jim Ryan leaving Sony?
Jim Ryan commented:
After 30 years, I have made the decision to retire from SIE in March 2024. I have loved the opportunity to have a job that I love in a very special company, working with great people and incredible partners. But I have found it increasingly difficult to balance living in Europe and working in North America. I will leave having the privilege of working on products that have touched millions of lives around the world; PlayStation will always be a part of my life and I feel more optimistic than ever about the future of SIE. I want to thank Yoshida-san for placing so much trust in me and for being an incredibly sensitive and supportive leader.
Already Kenichiro YoshidaPresident and CEO of Sony Group Corporation, stated:
Jim Ryan has been an inspiring leader throughout his time with us, but never more so than in overseeing the launch of PlayStation 5 in the midst of the global COVID pandemic. This extraordinary achievement made by the entire SIE team has been continually built upon and the PlayStation 5 is on track to become SIE’s most successful console to date. I am immensely grateful to Jim for all of his achievements. Respecting Jim’s decision to end his long career at Sony leaves me with an important decision regarding his succession, given the importance of the gaming and network services business. We discussed intensively and determined the new management structure. Our goal is to achieve further evolution and growth of the Sony Group, bringing even greater success to the games and network services business.
Hiroki TotokiPresident of the Sony Group Corporation, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in turn commented:
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Jim Ryan for his outstanding achievements and contributions throughout his 30-year career at Sony, including the highly successful launch of the PlayStation 5. The PlayStation business managed by SIE is an essential part of the entire the Sony Group’s business portfolio. I will work closely with Jim and the senior management team to ensure our continued success and growth. I also look forward to creating the exciting future of PlayStation and the gaming industry together with everyone at SIE and its business partners.
