Tech giant has named Sabih Khan as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), succeeding Jeff Williams, who will step down later this month to lead the company’s design team and oversee the Apple Watch and health initiatives.
Khan, who has been with the iPhone maker for 30 years and became Senior Vice President of Operations in 2019, has led the company’s global supply chain for the past six years.
“Sabih is a brilliant strategist who has been one of the central architects of Apple’s supply chain,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook.
“While overseeing Apple’s supply chain, he has helped pioneer new technologies in advanced manufacturing, overseen the expansion of Apple’s manufacturing footprint in the United States, and helped ensure that Apple can be nimble in response to global challenges. He has advanced our ambitious efforts in environmental sustainability, helping reduce Apple’s carbon footprint by more than 60%,” Cook added.
Before joining Apple’s procurement group in 1995, Khan worked at GE Plastics as an applications development engineer and a key account technical leader.
Meanwhile Williams, who will continue reporting to Cook, is set to retire later this year, after which the design team will report directly to Cook.
“June marked my 27th anniversary with Apple, and my 40th in the industry. Beginning next year, I plan to spend more time with friends and family, including five grandchildren and counting,” Williams said.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Sabih for 27 years, and I think he’s the most talented operations executive on the planet. I have tremendous confidence in Apple’s future under his leadership in this role,” he added.
During his career at Apple, Williams built a global supply chain that supported the company’s expansion in the US, China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia. He led supplier responsibility initiatives and played a pivotal role in launching the iPod and iPhone. Over a decade ago, he spearheaded the development of the Apple Watch and shaped the company’s health strategy. In recent years, he has also overseen Apple’s design team.
“Jeff and I have worked alongside each other for as long as I can remember, and Apple wouldn’t be what it is without him,” Cook said.
“I am and will always be beyond grateful for his numerous contributions to Apple over the years and his loyal friendship. Jeff’s true legacy can be seen in the amazing team he’s created and, while he’ll be greatly missed, he leaves the work of the future in incredible hands,” he added.
Khan’s appointment as COO reflects an orchestrated succession plan, an essential strategy for global corporations to ensure leadership continuity. Last year, Apple named Kevan Parekh as its new chief financial officer, succeeding Luca Maestri.
The iPhone maker is slated to announce its FY25 third fiscal quarter results and provide business updates later this month.
Edited by Megha Reddy
