Apple has announced that its long-time Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams, will step down from his role later this month. You’ll see a change in the company’s leadership as Sabih Khan, currently the Senior Vice President of Operations, steps up to take over the position of COO.
Williams, who has worked at Apple for nearly 30 years, has played a pivotal role in the company’s most iconic product launches and operations. Now, he’s decided it’s time to retire and spend more time with his growing family, which includes five grandchildren.
A well-earned retirement after nearly 30 years
You may recognise Jeff Williams as one of the main figures behind Apple’s success. Since joining the company in 1998, he has worked closely with CEO Tim Cook and has been instrumental in helping bring key products to market. Williams was instrumental in the development of the iPod, helped steer the iPhone programme, and led the launch of the Apple Watch. More recently, he also oversaw Apple’s design teams.
In the company’s statement on July 9, Williams shared his reasons for retiring. “I want to spend more time with friends and family, including five grandchildren and counting,” he said. Although stepping down as COO this month, he will continue in a limited role until later this year, still reporting to CEO Tim Cook during the transition. He’ll maintain oversight of the design team and Apple Watch until his final retirement.
Once Williams steps away fully, the design team will begin reporting directly to Cook, rather than through another executive, highlighting the team’s importance to the CEO and the company’s future vision.
Sabih Khan to take the lead
If you’ve been following Apple’s operations, you’ll know that Sabih Khan has been a key leader in managing Apple’s supply chain and operations for years. As Senior Vice President of Operations, he has worked on scaling Apple’s global manufacturing systems while ensuring high-quality standards across all products. Now, he’ll officially become the company’s next Chief Operating Officer.
Apple’s decision to promote Khan reflects the company’s commitment to steady leadership and internal talent development. His experience makes him a natural fit for the role. Under his leadership, Apple’s operations have remained smooth and reliable, even during challenging times, such as the global pandemic and ongoing supply chain issues.
A shift in Apple’s leadership style
While Apple has made big changes before, this leadership shift marks a subtle but important one. With Williams retiring, it closes a chapter of executive leadership that dates back to the Steve Jobs era. Williams was not only a technical and operational leader but also a steady hand in Apple’s top executive team for decades.
Now, as Khan steps up, you may see changes in how Apple approaches product development and operations, although the company’s core principles are expected to remain the same. Tim Cook’s leadership style, built on teamwork and efficiency, continues to shape Apple’s future, and Khan’s promotion signals a continuation of that approach.
Apple has not announced any other executive changes as part of this transition, but it’s clear that the company values continuity at the top. With Khan stepping into a well-established role and Williams remaining for a short period to ensure a smooth handover, Apple appears to be managing the transition with care and long-term planning in mind.
