PlayStation chief to become Sony CEO?

Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kazuo Hirai could be in line to become Sony President, according to Bloomberg.

Citing ‘people familiar with the matter’ the financial news service says that the future President would be in-line to replace Sony Chairman and CEO Howard Stringer.

Sony consumer products boss Hiroshi Yoshioka is also being considered for the role, says reports.

Stringer took the role of CEO, Chairman and President in April 2009 after the departure of Ryoki Chubachi. He turns 69 in February, and installing a President will help reduce the Welshman’s travel and work load.

Sony has suffered a tough time over recent years, with the firm losing significant market share to Apple, Nintendo and Samsung. However, the firm has just raised its full year net income forecast, boosted by an improved performance by the Network and Devices division, which looks after PlayStation, Walkman and Vaio computers. Despite the strong Yen, Sony has posted two consecutive quarters of profit.

Stringer should be credited for carrying out structural reforms to stop the company from bleeding,” Kohi Toda, fund manager at Tokyo-based Resona Bank Ltd., told Bloomberg.

Nevertheless, Stringer hasn’t managed to steer the company to growth. His accomplishment was rather earning time and energy for Sony to get ready for the next growth.”

We spoke to Kazuo Hirai at Gamescom, you can check out our full interview here.