Nintendo Europe Gets A New CEO

Nintendo is getting a new shift in upper management with the replacement of longtime Nintend Europe CEO Satoru Shibata returning to Nintendo HQ in Kyoto to take over as manager of licensing. Nintendo has now announced that Stephan Bole will be taking over as President of Nintendo of Europe.

Bole is known in Nintendo as being influential in solidifing Nintendo’s position in France during 2001 to 2005 (France remains one of Nintendo’s strongest markets.) Bole will be assisted by Koji Miyake, who will be taking over as its new CEO and chairman.

“To say that Mr Shibata’s contributions have been instrumental to Nintendo’s European operations is an understatements,” Bole said. “His efforts over the past 18 years have helped to bring Nintendo products to generations of players across Europe – and beyond. While he will be missed by many, I have full confidence that with our new structure we’ll be able to continue our mission of putting smiles on people’s faces through our unique gaming experiences.”

Under Shibita’s guidance Nintendo managed gain a strong standing in the European market. It’s going to be interesting to see how Bole extends this going forward.