Sony appoints first female CFO
Sony has appointed Lin Tao as its next Chief Financial Officer, marking a historic milestone as the first woman to hold the role. The move places Tao, a seasoned finance executive with deep roots in Sony’s corporate strategy, in a pivotal position within the company’s leadership ranks—one that has historically been a stepping stone to the top job.
Tao’s appointment comes amid a broader reshuffling at Sony’s executive level. Hiroki Totoki, who currently serves as President, COO, and CFO, will transition into the sole role of President and CEO of Sony Group starting April 1, 2025.
In the gaming division, Hideaki Nishino has been promoted to President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, taking full control after previously sharing the role with PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst.
With more than two decades at Sony, Tao has steadily climbed the corporate ladder, playing a key role in the company’s strategic financial decisions. She first joined in 2000, focusing on PlayStation and mobile gaming before working alongside key Sony leaders such as Kaz Hirai and Kenichiro Yoshida.
By 2021, she had risen to Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Strategy at Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE).
Her tenure at SIE has been marked by high-profile acquisitions, most notably Sony’s $3.7 billion purchase of Bungie in 2022. Since Totoki took over as chairman of SIE in 2023, Tao has been instrumental in helping restructure the division, strengthening Sony’s competitive positioning in the gaming industry.
While many in Sony’s leadership circle had expected Naoya Horii, a longtime associate of Totoki, to take the CFO role, the company instead opted for Tao—a decision that underscores Sony’s confidence in her strategic and financial acumen.
The CFO role at Sony has historically been a launchpad to the highest office. Both Kenichiro Yoshida and Hiroki Totoki previously held the position before ascending to the President and CEO role. Tao’s appointment places her in a similar trajectory, raising speculation about whether she could one day lead Sony Group.
For now, investors have reacted positively to the leadership transitions. Tao inherits a challenging but critical role, overseeing Sony’s financial strategy as the company navigates increased competition in gaming, consumer electronics, and entertainment.