Apple Expects Largest Leadership Turnover in Decades Amid CEO Cook's Stay

Apple CEO Tim Cook is not leaving, but a management shake-up is expected. Almost half of Cook's direct reports are over 60 and may retire soon, while AI leader John Giannandrea's future is uncertain. This could lead to Apple's largest leadership turnover in decades.

Apple Inc. (AAPL) is undergoing a significant management overhaul as several key executives plan to retire, with no clear successor to CEO Tim Cook in place. This transition, which marks the company's biggest leadership turnover in decades, comes amidst a challenging period for innovation and amid concerns about the company's ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

According to sources, several top executives, including Jeff Williams, Tim Cook's longtime deputy, have announced their retirement plans. Williams, who has been a crucial figure in the company's supply chain and health initiatives, is set to transition his role as chief operating officer to Sabih Khan, Apple's senior vice president of Operations, later this month [2]. This move is part of a long-planned succession plan and is expected to have a minimal impact on Apple's day-to-day operations.

However, the lack of a clear successor to Cook raises questions about the company's succession planning and its preparedness for any unforeseen circumstances that may require a change in leadership. Cook, who has been at the helm since 2011, remains firmly in place, with the board largely composed of his loyalists. Despite the company's recent struggles, including AI missteps and an aging product lineup, the board continues to view Cook as the best person to navigate Apple through this period of change.

The management reshuffle at Apple comes at a critical time. Operations executive Sabih Khan will replace Williams, and CFO Luca Maestri handed over his duties to Kevan Parekh earlier this year. Several other top executives are nearing retirement age, including Eddy Cue, Apple's services chief, who has warned that Apple risks becoming the next BlackBerry or Nokia if it doesn't adapt quickly.

The most plausible successor to Cook remains hardware chief John Giannandrea, who is about 15 years younger than Cook and has been with the company for over 20 years. However, Giannandrea's future with Apple remains uncertain, adding to the company's leadership challenges.

Despite the challenges, Apple's shares have fallen 16% this year but have seen a surge of around 1,500% since Cook assumed the role of CEO in 2011. The company's ability to navigate this period of change and continue to innovate will be crucial to its long-term success.

References:
[1] https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/07/46383701/apple-undergoing-major-management-overhaul-but-ceo-tim-cook-to-stay-on
[2] https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/07/apple-announces-chief-operating-officer-transition/