Sony has announced that Jim Ryan will be stepping down as the head of PlayStation and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment in March 2024.
Ryan joined Sony Interactive Entertainment as part of its European branch, Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe, back when it was known as Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in 1994. After 28 years, Ryan says he has found it “increasingly difficult to reconcile living in Europe and working in North America.”
“I will leave having been privileged to work on products that have touched millions of lives across the world; PlayStation will always be part of my life, and I feel more optimistic than ever about the future of SIE,” he added.
Born and bred in the UK, Ryan held several notable leadership roles at the company over the years including President of SIEE, Head of Global Sales and Marketing at SIE and Deputy President of SIE since January 2018, and then replacing John Kodera as President and CEO of SIE in 2019, a position he has held ever since. What an illustrious career.
Ryan was also one of the key figures who played an instrumental role in making the original Sony PlayStation a household name across the globe, thanks to his sharp business acumen and penchant for sales and marketing. This allowed Sony to gain an early foothold in Europe and North America back when Nintendo and Sega dominated the market.
Besides this, he also oversaw the launch of the PlayStation 5, and despite a global pandemic making the console extremely scarce due to component shortages, through his leadership, the company was able to stay the course, eventually increasing production and meeting high demand. Since its inception, Sony has announced it has sold over 41 million PS5 units worldwide.
Sony Group Corporation Chairman and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida gave Ryan his flowers and commended his leadership stating, “Jim Ryan has been an inspirational leader throughout his entire period with us, but never more so than in overseeing the launch of PlayStation 5 in the midst of the global COVID pandemic.”
“That extraordinary achievement made by the entire SIE team has been steadily built on and PlayStation 5 is on track to become SIE’s most successful console yet. I’m immensely grateful to Jim for all his achievements,” add Yoshida.
It is quite evident that Jim Ryan leaves the PlayStation brand in a strong position. To support his transition, Sony Group Corporation President, COO and CFO, Hiroki Titoki, will assume the role of Chairman of SIE effective October 2023 and eventually, the Interim CEO role following Ryan’s departure starting next year, April 1.
