Jim Ryan, the esteemed President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), has announced his forthcoming departure, set for March 2024. In a heartfelt announcement, Ryan shared that the complexities of balancing his personal life in the UK with his responsibilities situated in the US had become increasingly challenging. This decision brings to a close a remarkable journey that has spanned almost three decades within the SIE family.
Ryan’s illustrious tenure with SIE dates back to 1994, even before the global launch of the first PlayStation console. Throughout his dedicated service, he played an instrumental role in solidifying the company’s presence in the European market, progressing through various pivotal roles until his well-deserved appointment as CEO of SIE in 2019.
Under Jim Ryan’s stewardship, SIE successfully introduced the highly-anticipated PlayStation 5 to the gaming world. Despite the formidable challenges posed by the pandemic-induced component shortages, the company ultimately surged forward, ramping up production to meet the immense demand. Notably, in the first quarter of 2023, Sony achieved a milestone by shipping 3.3 million PlayStation 5 units, propelling the total number of consoles sold to an impressive 41.7 million. Applauding Ryan’s leadership during these trying times, Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida lauded his efforts in navigating the launch of the PlayStation 5 amid the global COVID pandemic, affirming its trajectory to become SIE’s most triumphant console yet.
Come April 1, 2024, Hiroki Totoki will assume the role of interim CEO at SIE, concurrently maintaining his positions as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer of Sony Group Corporation. As the torch passes to Totoki, he will collaborate with the management team to chart the course for the next chapter in PlayStation’s evolution. Additionally, he will spearhead the quest for the next leader of Sony Interactive Entertainment, ensuring continuity and innovation in the gaming realm. Jim Ryan’s departure marks the end of an era but paves the way for fresh horizons in the ever-evolving world of interactive entertainment.
