Welshman to head electronics giant Sony

A Welshman was today appointed chairman of Sony, marking the first time a foreigner will head a major Japanese electronics firm and comes as the company seeks to improve results at its faltering core electronics business.

Howard Stringer, a former TV reporter, had overseen Sony’s entertainment business, one of the company’s few bright spots in recent years. He replaces Nobuyuki Idei, who has led the Tokyo-based company for a decade.