Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president and CEO David Reeves will retire from the company as of April 30, 2009, following 14 years of service.

Reeves joined Sony in 1995 managing the regional offices of SCEE Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He later moved to the UK and was appointed SCEE president and COO in 2003, and CEO of Sony Europe two years later.

His replacement, Andrew House, is currently chief marketing officer and group executive of Sony Corporation, and will be responsible for managing the PlayStation business across almost 100 countries in the Europe/PAL territories.

“David’s contribution in firmly establishing the PlayStation brand and expanding the business in Europe/PAL territories in his 14 year tenure at SCEE is immeasurable,” said SCE president and CEO Kazuo Hirai. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to David for the many accomplishments he made to the PlayStation business and wish him the best luck in his future endeavours.”

“It has been a wonderful ride with PlayStation,” added Reeves. “I never got to visit all 106 countries but managed 66... I want to thank all of those people who have supported SCEE and me personally in the past 14 years; you have been magnificent."

House has held positions at Sony’s Japanese and US divisions, including marketing and communications roles promoting the original PlayStation, having taken on the role of VP of marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment America in March 1996.

He is said to have been a key player in developing the PlayStation brand into a household name in North America and also led the Third Party Relations and Developer Support divisions from 2000 before being appointed CMO of Sony Corporation in 2005.

“I’m delighted to return to the PlayStation fold and excited to take on this new challenge,” said House, “I have strong ties to the interactive entertainment industry and I believe there is huge potential for further growth of our business in the Europe/PAL countries and regions, particularly in the area of networked entertainment.  I’m looking forward to working with everyone at SCEE and with other groups in Sony to help achieve this potential.”