Stringer takes top spot at Sony

From Walkman to Welshman

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Financial News, 7th March 2005 12:31 GMT

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Sir Howard Stringer is the new boss of Sony Corporation. The Welshman, who was previously chairman and CEO of Sony Corp of America, gets the top job: chairman, group CEO and representative corporate executive officer.

Two other senior executives are also moving seats. Dr Ryoji Chubachi will be responsible for Sony's worldwide electronics business - his new title is representative corporate executive officer, president of Sony corporation and CEO of the Electronics Business Group. Mr Katsumi Ihara becomes representative corporate executive officer, executive deputy president and group CFO. All three are also nominated to Sony's board of directors.

Nobuyuki Idei, current chairman and group CEO, and Kunitake Ando, current president, will move to chief corporate advisor and advisor to Sony Corporation.

Originally from Cardiff in south Wales Stringer was knighted in 1999 and became a US citizen in 1985.

Stringer moved to the US straight from Oxford University. He served in Vietnam before working his way up to head of news at CBS. He ran Tele-TV in the mid-90s, which aimed to broadcast TV shows over DSL lines. Stringer described it as: "It was an unqualified disaster, being at least ten years too early."

He has worked for Sony since May 1997. He has a reputation for intelligence and self-deprecating humour.

Stringer oversaw Sony's decision to combine its music business with Bertelsmann AG in 2003 and last year's move to take over MGM.

The appointments will be formally approved by shareholders 22 June but the management transition will start immediately. More details on Sony's website here.®