Sony names Playstation head Hirai as new CEO

Sony announced the appointment of Kazuo Hirai as its new president and CEO, effective 01 April. He replaces Howard Stringer, who will continue as chairman of the company and take over as board chair from June, when Yotaro Kobayashi retires. Hirai is currently executive deputy president of Sony, in charge of consumer products and services, and chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment, the division for Sony's Playstation gaming activities. Before working on Playstation he spent several years at Sony Music. Sony also promoted Tadashi Saito to chief strategy officer and executive VP, also from April. He is currently president of the semiconductors division and the Professional, Device and Solutions group. Hiroshi Yoshioka was also moved from executive deputy president for the professional division to executive responsible for the medical equipment business.