Jim Ryan has been the CEO of PlayStation since 2019 – but his legacy with the company stretches back some thirty years. He has made a huge impact in the industry, becoming synonymous with the brand, and in the last few years in particular, he has become a very visible leader in the industry. He may have been a controversial figure for some in many ways, but his spearheading of some of PlayStation’s recent successes, such as the launch of the PlayStation 5, cannot be discredited.
He has been a figure driving the PlayStation product forward for more than twenty years, serving in various roles as he made his way up Sony’s tech ladder. Once upon a time, Ryan was the Head of Global Marketing and the Head of SCI Europe.
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Jim Ryan Steps Down In March 2024
Image Credit: PlayStation
In a heartfelt statement, Jim Ryan explained he’d be leaving the firm in March, taking retirement and stepping back from work. Here’s most of what he said:
‘I’ve relished the opportunity to have a job I love in a very special company, working with great people and incredible partners. But I’ve found it increasingly difficult to reconcile living in Europe and working in North America. I will leave having been privileged to work on products that have touched millions of lives across the world; PlayStation will always be part of my life, and I feel more optimistic than ever about the future of SIE. I want to thanks Kenichiro Yoshida [Sony’s CEO] for placing so much trust in me and being an incredibly sensitive and supportive leader.’
It was Yoshida who also spoke on the news, reaching out with a statement shortly after the revelation hit the airwaves.
‘I’m immensely grateful to Jim for all his achievements. Respecting Jim’s decision to finish his long career at Sony leaves me with an important decision regarding his succession given the significance of the Game & Network Services business. We have discussed intensively and have determined the new management structure. We aim to achieve Sony Group’s further evolution and growth through bringing even greater success to the Game & Network Services Business.’
It has now been confirmed that CFO Hiroki Totoki will take up the mantle of SIE Chairman in October and then will become interim CEO in the new year when Jim Ryan moves on. Totoki also offered his thoughts as per the Sony Interactive press release that was published to break the news:
‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Jim Ryan for his outstanding achievements and contributions over his 30-year career at Sony, including the great success of launching the PlayStation 5. The PlayStation business managed by SIE is an essential part of Sony Group’s entire business portfolio. I will work with Jim and the senior management team closely to ensure our continued success and further growth. I am also looking forward to creating the exciting future of PlayStation and the game industry together with everyone at SIE and its business partners.’
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