Sony announced a major reorganization and a new management team. The changes, effective April 1, 2009, will fundamentally reorganize the company's electronics and game businesses "to improve profitability and strengthen competitiveness in the midst of the continued global economic crisis".
"This reorganization is designed to transform Sony into a more innovative, integrated and agile global company with its next generation of leadership firmly in place. The changes we're announcing today will accelerate the transformation of the Company that began four years ago. They will now make it possible for all of Sony's parts to work together to assume a position of worldwide leadership and, together, achieve great things," said Mr. Stringer in announcing these changes.
The Board of Directors has endorsed a reorganization of the Company naming Mr. Stringer as President of Sony Corporation in addition to his current responsibilities of Chairman and CEO. Working with his newly appointed electronics leadership team, he will directly oversee the electronics business to enable faster implementation of his strategic direction.
Hiroshi Yoshioka will become Executive Deputy President of Sony Corporation and President of the New CPG. (He is currently Executive Vice President of Sony Corporation and President of the TV Business Group.) The Semiconductor and Component Business Group will also report to him, to help ensure effective coordination with Sony's products and enhanced profitability for these businesses. Yoshihisa Ishida, currently Senior Vice President and President of the VAIO Business Group, will head the TV Business Group.
As of April 1, Dr. Ryoji Chubachi will become Vice Chairman of the Company. He will remain a member of the Board and a Representative Corporate Executive Officer and will assist the CEO and also oversee product safety and quality, and Sony's environmental policies.
Katsumi Ihara is expected to become an executive director of Sony Financial Holdings Inc. ("SFH") subject to the determination at the annual SFH Shareholders Meeting to be held in June 2009, and will no longer be a member of the Board or a Corporate Executive Officer of Sony Corporation as of April 1, 2009. Between April 1 and his appointment in June 2009, he will remain with Sony Corporation as Corporate Executive, Executive Deputy President.
Since the start of the current management structure in June 2005, Sony has implemented a number of structural reforms, improved product competitiveness and enhanced cross-company collaboration under the Sony United initiative. As a result, the Company achieved new fiscal year records in sales and net income in the fiscal year 2007.
"I look forward to supporting the new management team as they transition into new areas of responsibility and to continuing to add value in my new role," said Dr. Chubachi. "I am pleased that, building on the structure we've created over the years, the company is poised for an even greater future."
Additional details of these organizational and personnel changes will be announced at a later date.
