Sony PlayStation will soon have two CEOs

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SEI) has announced a new management structure that puts two people in charge of different parts of the business. Hideaki Nishino, currently Senior Vice President of the Platform Experience Group, will become CEO of SIE’s Platform Business Group effective June 1. On the same day, Hermen Hulst will assume the role of CEO of SIE’s Studio Business Group after serving as SVP and head of PlayStation Studios.

The two executives step into their roles after Jim Ryan decided to step down as CEO of SEI in March. When he announced his departure, he said he was finding it “increasingly difficult” to juggle his home life in the UK with his work, which is based in the US. Ryan helped establish the company’s presence in Europe and led the launch of the PlayStation 5 in the midst of the pandemic. Both Nishino and Hulst will report to interim CEO Hiroki Totoki, who will step back and continue in his role as chairman of SIE as well as president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Sony Group Corporation.

Nishino currently leads the team that develops all experiences and technologies for PlayStation services and products. He will continue to be responsible for them, but will also oversee the company’s work with third-party publishers and developers. Nishino will be responsible for SIE’s commercial operations, including sales and marketing for all PlayStation hardware, services and peripherals. Meanwhile, Hulst leads content development efforts on PlayStation consoles and PC. He is also responsible for developing video game adaptations for film and television, such as The last of us. Going forward, he will be “responsible for the development, publishing and business operations of SIE’s own content.”

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