The head of PlayStation will depart from his role at the company next year. Sony Interactive Entertainment President and CEO Jim Ryan is retiring from his position at Sony in March 2024, with other executive leadership taking his place in the interim.
Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier broke the news on social media, citing two sources who spoke to Bloomberg News. Sony officially announced the decision later, along with executive statements, confirming that Ryan has made the decision to retire in March 2024 after almost 30 years at PlayStation.
Sony Group President, COO, and CFO Hiroki Totoki will take up the role of Chairman of SIE starting October 2023. On April 1, 2024, Totoki will be appointed as the interim CEO while continuing his current role at Sony Group, as Sony searches for Ryan’s successor.
Jim Ryan joined Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Europe branch, SIEE, in 1994, back when the company still used its Sony Computer Entertainment Europe branding. He would rise up the ranks to eventually, in 2019, be appointed as SIE President and CEO, effectively becoming the head of PlayStation.
Ryan’s appeared front-and-center at many PlayStation showcases and events, and has been the face of the company throughout much of this generation. That includes everything from big reveals to the tussles over acquisitions and more.
In a statement, Ryan says he “did not take this decision lightly,” explaining it’s been “increasingly difficult” to strike a balance between home in the UK and a job in the US. He went on to speak optimistically about the future of Sony:
“I feel humbled at having the opportunity to lead a company delivering products that touch millions of lives. From award-winning games to the incredibly immersive technical achievements delivered with PlayStation 5, I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved and very optimistic for the future of Sony Interactive Entertainment.”
– Jim Ryan, Sony Interactive Entertainment
You can find his full statement here.
