One among Tim Prepare dinner’s potential successors is leaving Apple

Apple has introduced that Sabih Khan, the corporate’s vice chairman of operations, will take over for Jeff Williams as chief working officer later this month. In an announcement on Tuesday, Apple stated the transfer is a part of a “long-planned succession” that has Williams retiring on the finish of this 12 months.

Williams, who oversaw the introduction of the iPod and iPhone, in addition to the Apple Watch, was appointed COO in 2015. He had been seen as a possible successor to CEO Tim Prepare dinner and was known as “Tim Prepare dinner’s Tim Prepare dinner.” Different potential candidates inside Apple reportedly embody {hardware} engineering chief John Ternus and software program engineering chief Craig Ferighi.

Later this month, Khan will take over the function of COO, whereas Williams will proceed to supervise design and Apple’s well being initiative till he retires. In March, Bloomberg reported that Williams is “closely concerned” in a plan to revamp the Well being app with an AI-powered well being coach that’s rumored to launch subsequent 12 months.

The design group, which has been reporting to Williams following the departure of Apple designer Evans Hankey in 2023, will start reporting on to Apple CEO Tim Prepare dinner later this 12 months after Williams retires, in accordance with Apple’s press launch.

Khan has labored at Apple for 30 years and have become VP of operations in 2019. He’s been main Apple’s international provide chain that produces greater than 200 million iPhones yearly, and now faces new challenges as Trump and China sq. off in a commerce conflict.

Williams joined Apple in 1998, the place he helped construct out the corporate’s provide chain and “led the hassle on Apple Watch over a decade in the past and architected the corporate’s well being technique,” in accordance with the press launch.

Within the press launch, Williams writes, “Working with all the wonderful individuals at this firm has been a privilege of a lifetime, and I can’t thank Tim sufficient for the chance, his inspirational management, and our friendship over time… June marked my twenty seventh anniversary with Apple, and my fortieth within the trade. Starting subsequent 12 months, I plan to spend extra time with family and friends, together with 5 grandchildren and counting.”

Replace, July eighth: Added extra particulars concerning the transition.