By Shivaun Hales

Sony has appointed corporate executive officer and executive vice president, Kunimasa Suzuki as its new mobile communications CEO.

Stepping down from the role is Bert Nordberg, who will become chairman of Sony mobile communications’ board.

From May 16, Suzuki will assume responsibility over the planning and design of all Sony’s consumer products and services including smartphones, tablets and PCs.

According to a press release from Sony, Suzuki will work on “strengthening horizontal integration and enhancing the user experience across Sony’s entire product and network service lineup.”

His responsibility includes overseeing the mobile business that Sony has identified as one of its core electronics business areas.

Sony president and CEO Kazuo Hirai said Suzuki’s experience in product planning, IT and mobile management would strengthen the business.

“He is a strong leader and the right person to oversee Sony Mobile Communications as we establish a new business structure as ‵One Sony’ intended to reinforce and accelerate our overall business management,” commented Hirai. 

Sony Mobile was created this year after Sony bought out Swedish joint-venture partner Ericsson for US $1.39 billion following a ten year partnership.

The acquisition has given Sony the freedom to pursue a unified "four screens" strategy, targeting smartphones, tablets, PCs, and television sets.

Under Nordberg’s leadership, Sony Ericsson shifted its lineup to smartphones from feature phones and he played a large role in moving Sony away from the Ericsson business.