Apple Transitions COO Role to Sabih Khan in Planned Succession

Apple has announced a planned leadership transition in its operations team, with Jeff Williams stepping down as Chief Operating Officer later this month and Sabih Khan, the current Senior Vice President of Operations, assuming the COO role. Williams will continue to report to CEO Tim Cook and oversee Apple's design team, Apple Watch, and health initiatives until his retirement later this year, at which point the design team will report directly to Cook. Williams has been instrumental in building Apple's supply chain, launching the Apple Watch, and advancing health strategies, earning deep praise from Cook for his lasting impact and leadership. Sabih Khan, a 30-year Apple veteran, has managed Apple's global supply chain since 2019 and is recognized for pioneering manufacturing technologies, expanding U.S. manufacturing, and driving environmental sustainability efforts that have cut Apple's carbon footprint by over 60 percent. This succession marks a significant change in Apple's executive lineup, with industry observers noting Williams' departure as one of the most consequential in the company's history. Despite speculation about future CEO succession, Khan is expected to focus on operational excellence while current hardware chief John Ternus is considered a likely candidate for CEO succession.