Sony md David Pearson quits

Sony UK is losing its managing director David Pearson, who is leaving after less than a year in the post to take up a “senior position in a British plc”.

Pearson, has worked for Sony’s UK hardware business for ten years, and has built up a high profile in UK marketing through running the company’s consumer marketing division, Sony Consumer Products. He was promoted to managing director last July after the previous md, Shin Takagi, transferred to Sony’s operations in the US.

Malcolm Willings, Sony’s deputy managing director, will take over Pearson’s role when he leaves at the end of this month. Sony says Pearson has refused to reveal which company he will join when he leaves, or what his position will be.

His departure comes as the company reviews its marketing department after losing head of European advertising Brenda Jones to computer giant IBM (MW April 2).

A spokesman says: “The whole business of Brenda Jones’ replacement is under active consideration. We are reviewing this at senior management level.” But he says there are “no plans at the moment” to axe the position.