Jeff Williams will continue leading health design and strategy until his retirement at the end of the year; Sabih Khan, Apple’s supply chain architect, will take over this month.
Apple has officially announced a key leadership transition: Jeff Williams, the current COO, will hand over duties to Sabih Khan, Senior Vice President of Operations, by the end of July. This carefully planned succession marks a new chapter in the company’s operational leadership.
Jeff Williams, who has been with Apple for 27 years and has played a crucial role in developing the Apple Watch and the company’s health strategy, will continue reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook over the coming months. Williams will retain responsibility for Apple’s design and health teams until his official retirement, scheduled for late 2025. Afterward, the design team will report directly to Cook.
Sabih Khan: Three Decades at Apple and a Legacy in Sustainability and Manufacturing
Tim Cook described Khan as “a brilliant strategist and a leader with values,” highlighting his essential role in expanding Apple’s global supply chain and his ability to respond swiftly to international challenges. Under his leadership, Apple has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 60%, advanced green manufacturing, and strengthened its commitments to sustainability.
Khan joined Apple 30 years ago and has been part of the executive team since 2019. He oversees planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, product compliance, and supplier responsibility programs, with a particular focus on protecting and training workers at production centers worldwide.
A Transition with Shared History
Williams, whose journey at Apple started in 1998, praised Khan as “the most talented operations executive on the planet” and recalled working together for nearly three decades. Throughout his career, Williams has been pivotal in transforming Apple, leading the creation of the Apple Watch, shaping the company’s health strategy, and overseeing its industrial design team, one of the most influential in the tech sector.
“I have a deep love for Apple,” Williams stated. “Working with such incredible people has been the privilege of my life. I’m starting a new chapter in 2026 with more time for my family, which now includes five grandchildren and counting.”
Tim Cook also expressed recognition: “Jeff has been essential in building the Apple we know today. His legacy lies in the team he has built and his exemplary leadership. We will be forever grateful to him.”
A Technical and Strategic Profile
Before joining Apple in 1995, Sabih Khan worked as an application development engineer and key account technical leader at GE Plastics. He holds a degree in Economics and Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University and a master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
With this change, Apple reinforces its commitment to a smooth transition in operational leadership, ensuring continuity in critical areas such as product innovation, the global supply chain, and environmental sustainability.
via: Apple