PlayStation Announces New CEOs to Succeed Jim Ryan

On May 13, PlayStation revealed that Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino would be taking over as the new CEOs of Sony’s Studio Business Group and Platform Business Group, respectively, following the retirement of former CEO Jim Ryan. Both executives will report directly to Hiroki Totoki, who remains the Chair of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and the President, COO, and CFO of Sony Group Corporation.

Jim Ryan, who began his career with Sony in 1994, announced his retirement in September 2023, with his departure officially occurring in March 2024. Ryan played a pivotal role in the success of the PS5 launch during his tenure as the head of SIE starting in 2019. Citing personal reasons such as the challenge of balancing work in North America while residing in Europe, Ryan stepped down from his role. Following Ryan’s retirement, Totoki assumed the interim CEO position at SIE in addition to his existing responsibilities within Sony Group.

With Ryan’s departure, PlayStation sought new leadership from within the company. The appointment of Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino as dual CEOs represents a strategic move for Sony. Hulst, the former head of Guerrilla Games known for his work on Horizon: Zero Dawn, will now lead the Studio Business Group, overseeing all first-party studios and PlayStation Productions. Nishino, who joined Sony in 2006 and previously served as Senior Vice President of Platform Experiences, will take charge of the Platform Business Group, responsible for PlayStation hardware development and third-party relations.

Hulst and Nishino’s appointments mark an important transition for PlayStation, signaling a fresh direction under new leadership. Both executives bring extensive experience and expertise to their respective roles. As they assume their positions, they will report directly to Totoki, ensuring alignment with Sony’s overarching vision and strategy.

The announcement of new CEOs comes amidst significant developments for PlayStation, including the upcoming PC release of Ghost of Tsushima on May 16. The community eagerly anticipates the future trajectory of PlayStation under the guidance of Hulst and Nishino.