Who is Sony's new CEO?

The news earlier this week that Sony had chosen a British executive as its new CEO, replacing longtime chief executive Nobuyuki Idei, caused a stir.

Though clearly a mover within Sony and well-known at the highest levels of international business, Howard Stringer is hardly a household name.

So who is the man who will run the Japanese electronics and entertainment giant? silicon.com assembles a handy fact sheet.

The basics: Sixty-three years old. Born in Wales and has both US (since 1985) and UK citizenship. Has never lived in Japan nor does he speak Japanese. Holds BA and MA from Oxford University but soon after graduating moved to the US, where he has lived since. Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999.

The newcomer: The first foreign-born chief executive of Sony, where he has worked for less than 10 years, having come onboard in 1997.

Long commute: Will continue to live in New York and commute to the Sony headquarters in Tokyo, while his family (wife and two children) live in the UK.

War veteran: Was drafted into the US Army not long after arriving in the country in the early 1960s. Served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967 and received the US Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement.

Journalism highlights: Started out as writer, director and producer at CBS. Moved on to become executive producer of CBS' documentary unit and then of the CBS Evening News. Served as president of CBS from 1988 to 1995. Credited as convincing David Letterman to bring his late night show to the network.

Sony achievements: Brought together the previously disparate US music and movie operations. Four years after arriving at Sony was given CEO leadership of the music, movies and electronics businesses in the US. Pulled off acquisitions including merger of Sony Music and Bertelsmann Music Group and purchase of film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer last year.

Management style: No ego-maniac media personality here. Known for his self-deprecating humour, sociability and friendly manner. Built friendship with former Sony CEO Nobuyuki Idei and even has good relationships with notoriously difficult Sony engineers. Not afraid to make the hard decisions - cut around $700m in costs and 12,000 jobs in the US, including replacing veterans with more media-savvy execs.

Tech support: Has no significant technology training. Will rely on the engineering background of new president Ryoji Chubachi, who is taking over from former president Kunitake Ando and will head up Sony's electronics unit.

Vision: In a memo to Sony employees, said the company needs to "reinvent" its legacy and "accelerate cross-company collaboration". Advocates quickening the pace of change and innovation to keep businesses competitive, restoring focus on pleasing customers and restructuring businesses to improve profitability.

Blogging ambitions: Enjoys reading blogs and in a recent interview with silicon.com sister site CNET News.com revealed his ambitions in this area. "I think sometimes that if I retire, I'll become a blogger and finally say all the things I've always wanted to say," he said. Looks like we'll have to wait a bit for that particular blog.