Apple COO Jeff Williams to Retire, Sabih Khan to Take Over Amid "Long-Planned Succession"

Apple's Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams, will retire later in 2025, but will hand over the role to Sabih Khan, another Apple veteran, in July. Williams has nearly three decades of experience at the company and the move is part of a "long-planned succession." Investors should not worry as Apple is known for its supply-chain prowess and Khan's appointment ensures continuity and stability.

Apple Inc. announced on Tuesday that veteran Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams will transition out of his role later this month, with Sabih Khan taking over as the new COO. This move is part of a long-planned succession plan, with Williams continuing to report to CEO Tim Cook until the end of 2025.

Williams, who joined Apple in 1998 and has been instrumental in the company's growth, spearheaded the launch of the Apple Watch and played a pivotal role in the company's health initiatives. He has been a key figure in Apple's supply chain development, overseeing operations that have supported the company's global expansion [1].

Sabih Khan, who has been with Apple for 30 years, will assume the role of COO. He has been the senior vice president of operations since 2019 and has been instrumental in managing Apple's global supply chain. Khan has overseen the production of approximately 230 million iPhones last year and has faced challenges such as shifting production to India and accelerating imports to avoid tariffs [2].

The appointment of Khan ensures continuity and stability in Apple's operations. Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, praised both Williams and Khan, noting that Williams' legacy can be seen in the amazing team he has created and that Khan's leadership will be exceptional [3]. Williams will continue to oversee the design team, Apple Watch, and health initiatives until the end of 2025, after which the design team will report directly to Cook.

Investors should not be concerned about this transition. Apple's reputation for supply chain prowess and Khan's appointment as COO ensure that there will be no significant disruption in the company's operations. Williams' extensive experience and Khan's deep understanding of Apple's operations will continue to guide the company through any challenges it may face.

References:
[1] https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-coo-jeff-williams-exit-230500616.html
[2] https://nypost.com/2025/07/08/business/apple-names-sabih-khan-as-next-chief-operating-officer/
[3] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-names-insider-sabih-khan-204222809.html