Apple's Succession Plan: Sabih Khan's Rise to COO, but John Ternus Still the Likely Next CEO

Apple's Jeff Williams is retiring, and Sabih Khan, a 30-year veteran of the company, is taking his role as COO. While Khan is now a viable candidate to succeed Tim Cook, his age and the length of Cook's tenure as CEO make it unlikely that he will be the next CEO. John Ternus, 50, is considered the most likely candidate to succeed Cook, given his age and increasing experience within the company.

Apple Inc. has announced a significant leadership transition with the retirement of Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams and the appointment of Sabih Khan as the new COO. Williams, a 27-year veteran of the company, will step down later this month, with Khan taking over as part of a long-planned succession [1].

Sabih Khan, a 30-year Apple veteran, has been a key architect of the company's supply chain and has been instrumental in expanding Apple's manufacturing footprint in the United States. He was born in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, and moved to Singapore in grade 5. Khan earned bachelor's degrees in Economics and Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University and a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He joined Apple's executive team in 2019 and has been overseeing the company's operations since then [4].

Khan's appointment as COO makes him a viable candidate to succeed Tim Cook, who is currently serving his 14th year as CEO. However, the length of Cook's tenure and Khan's age make it less likely that he will be the next CEO. John Ternus, 50, is considered the most likely candidate to succeed Cook, given his age and increasing experience within the company [3].

Williams' retirement is part of a broader trend of long-time Apple executives stepping down as they reach retirement age. Williams, who was 62, was one of the most important executives at Apple, running the company's formidable operations division and leading important teams, including the industrial design team [1].

Apple's transition in leadership comes at a time when the company is facing pressure to shift iPhone production out of China. White House trade advisor Peter Navarro has criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook for the slow pace of this transition, despite pressure from the Trump administration [2].

In conclusion, Apple's leadership transition is a significant event that will shape the company's future. While Khan's appointment as COO makes him a potential successor to Tim Cook, the length of Cook's tenure and Khan's age make it less likely that he will be the next CEO. John Ternus is currently considered the most likely candidate to succeed Cook.

References:
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/08/apple-says-coo-jeff-williams-handing-over-role-to-sabih-khan-this-month.html
[2] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/mobiles-tabs/white-house-advisor-criticises-apple-ceo-tim-cook-for-companys-pace-in-moving-iphone-production-out-of-china-its-the-longest-running-soap-opera-in/articleshow/122304335.cms
[3] https://9to5mac.com/2025/07/08/apple-ceo-succession/
[4] https://www.moneycontrol.com/technology/apple-appoints-sabih-khan-as-its-new-coo-to-take-charge-later-this-month-article-13245554.html