Apple's COO Jeff Williams to Retire, Sabih Khan to Take Over

Apple's Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams will retire later this year, transitioning duties to Sabih Khan. Williams joined Apple in 1998 and helped build the company's health strategy and supply chain. Khan, a 29-year Apple veteran, will report to CEO Tim Cook. AAPL shares inched up 0.072% in after-hours trading.

Apple Inc. has announced the appointment of Sabih Khan as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. Khan will succeed Jeff Williams, who is retiring later this year. This transition comes as Apple navigates regulatory challenges and shifts its production strategy to India.

Khan, an Indian-origin executive, has been with Apple for nearly three decades. He currently serves as the senior vice-president of operations, overseeing the global supply chain, supplier responsibility programs, and operations teams. Born in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, Khan moved to Singapore and then the United States, earning degrees in economics and mechanical engineering from Tufts University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Before joining Apple, Khan worked at GE Plastics as an applications development engineer and key account technical leader. At Apple, he has been instrumental in delivering innovative products and shaping the company's global operational strategy. Since 2019, he has led Apple's global supply chain, encompassing procurement, planning, manufacturing, logistics, product fulfillment, and supplier responsibility programs.

Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, praised Khan's leadership, noting his role as a "brilliant strategist" and "central architect of Apple’s supply chain." Williams, who has worked closely with Khan for 27 years, also endorsed the appointment, stating that Khan is "the most talented operations executive on the planet."

As COO, Khan will also manage Apple's ongoing efforts to strengthen its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The company continues to explore external partnerships to advance its AI technologies, following the recent departure of a top AI executive to Meta.

The leadership change coincides with Apple's efforts to shift parts of its production from China to India, aiming to reduce exposure to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

Apple shares inched up 0.072% in after-hours trading following the announcement.

References:
[1] https://www.business-standard.com/technology/tech-news/apple-names-sabih-khan-as-coo-jeff-williams-to-retire-125070900081_1.html