Sony has appointed two new CEOs to run Sony Interactive Entertainment, the company behind PlayStation. PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst will become CEO of SIE’s Studio Business Group and Hideaki Nishino will be CEO of SIE’s Platform Business Group.
Former CEO Jim Ryan retired at the end of March this year, and Sony Group COO and CFO Hiroki Totoki became interim CEO until a permanent replacement was found.
Announcing the new appointments in a press release, Hiroki Totoki said “These two leaders will have clear responsibilities and will manage strategic direction to ensure the focus remains on deepening engagement with existing PlayStation users and expanding experiences to new audiences.”
Hiroki Totoki will step down as interim SIE CEO to make way for the new co-CEOs. Totoki will take on the role of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Chairman.
Hermen Hulst
Hermen Hulst has been the head of PlayStation Studios since 2019. Hulst began working for Guerrilla Games (then called Lost Boys Games) in 2001 when he was hired as Managing Director.
Hideaki Nishino
Hideaki Nishino has been an SIE Senior Vice President and PlayStation’s Head of Platform Experience since 2016. Nishino was also the lead on the design of PlayStation’s remote-play device the PlayStation Portal.
In a separate message to Sony Interactive Entertainment employees, Hiroki Totoki said that Hermen Hulst will continue to lead the SIE Studios business, including PlayStation Studios, Bungie, and PlayStation Productions. Hulst will be responsible for the development, publishing, and business operations of SIE’s first-party content as well as IP expansion opportunities through PlayStation Productions.
Hideaki Nishino will also continue in his role leading the Platform Experience Group which oversees the technology, services, products and PlayStation platform experience. Nishino will also oversee third-party publisher and developer relations and commercial operations for Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino will officially start their new roles as SIE co-CEOs on June 1st, 2024.