Sony appoints Kazuo Hirai as president and CEO


1 Feb 2012

Kazuo Hirai will become Sony's new president and CEO on 1 April 2012

Consumer electronics giant Sony has appointed a new president and CEO, Kazuo Hirai. Hirai takes the helm on 1 April, and current chairman, CEO and president Sir Howard Stringer will become chairman of the board of directors in June.

Hirai is currently executive deputy president, and Stringer recommended him as his successor, Sony said in a statement.

Stringer will continue as chairman of Sony Corporation until his ascension to the board chairmanship, which will become effective upon board approval following the annual shareholders’ meeting in June, when the current chairman, Yotaro Kobayashi, will retire.

Hirai is also expected to be appointed to the board at the June shareholders meeting.

“I am grateful to Sir Howard and to the board for their confidence in me, and I look forward to working with everyone at Sony more closely than ever before to build a strong future for our customers, shareholders, partners and employees,” said Hirai.

“The path we must take is clear: to drive the growth of our core electronics businesses – primarily digital imaging, smart mobile and game; to turn around the television business; and to accelerate the innovation that enables us to create new business domains.

“The foundations are now firmly in place for the new management team and me to fully leverage Sony’s diverse electronics product portfolio, in conjunction with our rich entertainment assets and growing array of networked services, to engage with our customers around the world in new and exciting ways,” Hirai said.