Updated:Financial TimesReports allegeApple CEO Tim Cook may step down as early as next year, and the Apple board and senior executives are already working to find his successor. Furthermore, Apple plans not to announce a new CEO before releasing its financial results in January 2026, but may announce the new CEO before the end of this year to facilitate a smooth transition to a new leadership team.
February this yearConfirmed newsFollowing this, Apple announced the formal retirement of Jeff Williams, who had served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for many years. Jeff Williams' departure not only marked the end of an era but was also seen as the beginning of a broader leadership shift at Apple's top management.
Business restructuring: Apple Watch and Health are placed under the leadership of John Ternus and Eddy Cue.
Jeff Williams served at Apple for many years, including a decade as Chief Operating Officer. Apple CEO Tim Cook previously praised his contributions, stating, "Without him, there would be no Apple as we know it today," and commended him for helping build the global supply chain, launching and overseeing the development of the Apple Watch, shaping Apple's health strategy, and leading Apple's design team.
Jeff Williams' position as Chief Operating Officer (COO), primarily responsible for the supply chain, was handed over to current Senior Vice President of Operations, Sabih Khan, earlier this year.
As for the multiple key business areas that Jeff Williams was also responsible for, they have now been distributed to other senior executives:
• Apple Watch hardware engineering:It was handed over to John Ternus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering.
• watchOS software engineering:It was handed over to Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering.
• Health and FitnessThis task was then assigned to Eddy Cue, Senior Vice President of Services.
Related topic: Tim Cook's successor emerges, with John Ternus becoming a leading candidate.
Jeff Williams' official retirement has once again drawn attention to Apple CEO Tim Cook's succession plans.
The report indicates that this wave of high-level changes is expected to continue, with several senior executives, including Tim Cook, expected to retire in the near future, drawing industry attention to Apple's internal leadership succession plan.
John Ternus, who recently took over the Apple Watch hardware business, is considered a frontrunner to succeed Tim Cook as CEO. Ternus already oversees all hardware engineering for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even the Apple Watch, and the addition of Jeff Williams' key responsibilities undoubtedly further solidifies his position within the company.
However, the report also emphasized that Apple has not yet released any official timetable regarding Tim Cook's specific retirement schedule.
