Sony Group Corporation on Thursday said that it has promoted president, COO and CFO Hiroki Totoki to CEO after being approved unanimously in a meeting of Sony’s board.
Kenichiro Yoshida, who had been chairman and CEO, remains chairman. Both new roles take effect April 1.
Yoshida has been president and CEO since April 2018, while Totoki was appointed President and COO in April 2023. Yoshida said in Sony’s press release that he proposed Totoki to the board as his successor, and talks have been ongoing “for some time.”
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to have been entrusted with the important role of President and CEO,” Totoki said. “At the same time, I am looking forward to working as CEO with our approximately 110,000 employees to further evolve and grow Sony.”
Sony said April 1 will also be the date it implements other changes to its management structure. As part of those moves, which clarify roles across each business, Hideaki Nishino will become sole president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Hermen Hulst will become CEO, Studio Business Group, Sony Interactive Entertainment, in charge of Game Studio Business.
Other new positions at Sony Corp include Yasuhiro Ito in the newly created role of Chief People Officer, in charge of Human Resources; General Affairs; the Corporate Executive Office; and Lead of Group Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Lin Tao was named CFO.
The restructure finalized today already includes the addition of Ravi Ajuja as Officer in charge of Sony’s Pictures Business. He became President and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment, at the beginning of the year after SPE chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra stepped down.
Other Sony Corp execs in the media and entertainment space continuing in their roles include Rob Stringer, Chairman, Sony Music Group and CEO, Sony Music Entertainment; Kimio Maki, President and CEO, Sony Corporation in charge of Entertainment, Technology & Services Business; and SVP Corporate Communications Robert Lawson.