In a significant leadership transition, Apple announced that Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams will retire at the end of this year. Williams, who has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s operations, product development, and health strategy, will begin transitioning out of day-to-day responsibilities this month. He will remain with the company through the end of 2025, focusing on ongoing design and health initiatives, before stepping away completely. Stepping into his role will be Sabih Khan, Apple’s current Senior Vice President of Operations and a 30-year veteran of the company.
Who is Jeff Williams?
Jeff Williams joined Apple in 1998 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Vice President of Operations in 2004 and COO in 2015. Often referred to internally as “Tim Cook’s Tim Cook,” Williams is widely respected for overseeing Apple’s world-class global supply chain and playing key roles in the development of groundbreaking products. His fingerprints are on some of Apple’s most iconic launches, including the iPhone, iPod, and most notably the Apple Watch. Beyond hardware, he led Apple’s growing focus on health, positioning the company at the intersection of technology and wellness. Under his guidance, Apple launched features like ECG monitoring and blood oxygen tracking, and laid the foundation for the company’s long-term ambitions in health and fitness.
Williams also played a major role in leading Apple’s design team following the 2019 departure of Chief Design Officer Jony Ive. As of this leadership shift, Apple announced that the design team will now report directly to CEO Tim Cook, signaling a realignment at the highest levels of Apple’s creative organization. Despite his low-key public presence, Williams became one of the most influential figures in Apple’s executive ranks and was frequently mentioned as a potential successor to Tim Cook.
Who is Sabih Khan?
His successor, Sabih Khan, brings deep experience and continuity to the role. Khan joined Apple in 1995 and has overseen every aspect of its massive supply chain, from sourcing and manufacturing to sustainability and logistics. In recent years, Khan has been a driving force behind Apple’s environmental initiatives, including efforts to reduce carbon emissions throughout the production process and shift manufacturing toward renewable energy sources. He also played a critical leadership role during the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping Apple maintain production and expand its manufacturing footprint beyond China to other parts of Asia and even the United States.
Both Cook and Williams praised Khan in their official statements. Cook described him as “a brilliant strategist and a compassionate leader,” while Williams referred to him as “the most talented operations executive on the planet.” Their endorsements reflect Khan’s long-standing contributions to the company and his reputation for delivering results in even the most complex operational environments.
What’s Next For Apple?
Williams’ retirement also brings renewed attention to Apple’s broader executive bench and the question of who might eventually succeed Tim Cook. With Williams no longer in consideration, attention turns to other top executives like Craig Federighi, head of software engineering; Greg Joswiak, Apple’s marketing chief; and John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering. Ternus, in particular, has been gaining visibility in recent years and is seen as a strong candidate to lead Apple into its next chapter, given his oversight of key product lines such as iPhone, Mac, and Vision Pro.
As Jeff Williams prepares to say goodbye to Apple after nearly three decades, he leaves behind a legacy defined by operational excellence, innovation, and quiet but profound leadership. His successor inherits not only a powerful role, but also the responsibility of continuing Apple’s tradition of seamless execution and forward-looking vision.
The Bottom Line
As Jeff Williams prepares to say goodbye to Apple after nearly three decades, he leaves behind a legacy defined by operational excellence, innovation, and quiet but profound leadership. His successor inherits not only a powerful role, but also the responsibility of continuing Apple’s tradition of seamless execution and forward-looking vision.
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