A dramatic and deeply meaningful departure at Apple’s executive ranks: Jeff Williams, the veteran Chief Operating Officer and widely considered the company’s No. 2 and even presumed successor to Tim Cook, will step down from his role this month and leave the company by the end of the current year. This announcement was made last night (Wednesday, July 9, 2025) by the tech giant, signaling a fundamental personnel change in its senior leadership. Sabih Khan, Senior Vice President of Operations, has been appointed as Williams’ successor, stepping into exceptionally large shoes. Jeff Williams, 62, will continue to lead the design team, Apple Watch development, and Apple’s strategic health initiatives until the end of the year, ensuring a smooth transition of responsibilities. Upon his final departure, the design team will report directly to CEO Tim Cook, strengthening Cook’s direct oversight of this critical area.

Williams began his professional career in operations and engineering at IBM and joined Apple in 1998, as part of a wave of senior hires led by Steve Jobs, who had returned to the company a year prior. This wave of recruitment also included Tim Cook himself, indicating Williams’ importance from the very beginning of the revitalized company. Throughout his decades at Apple, Williams held senior procurement and operations roles, making crucial contributions to building one of the most efficient and respected supply chains in the world.

A Decade of Impact: Williams’ Role in Shaping Modern Apple

In 2015, Jeff Williams was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Apple, a position of paramount importance, previously held by Tim Cook himself before his appointment as CEO in 2011. This appointment positioned Williams as a natural candidate to succeed Cook, and he was indeed considered a possible “heir” at one point. Throughout his decades at Apple, Williams led the operational side of Apple’s entry into the mobile market with the launch of the iPhone in 2007, a pivotal event in the company’s history and the entire technology industry. Under his responsibility, Apple built an unprecedented global manufacturing and supply network that enabled it to meet the immense demand for its products.

Beyond that, Williams played a central role in the development of the Apple Watch – a product that became a leader in its field and expanded Apple’s presence into the health and wearables market. Following the departure of legendary designer Jony Ive in 2019, the company’s prestigious design team was transferred to Williams’ responsibility. This was an unusual move, testifying to the great trust Tim Cook placed in him, as it put oversight of one of Apple’s core and strategic areas – design – in the hands of an operations executive. This responsibility also included overseeing Apple’s health initiatives, a field of immense and growing importance for the company. Despite being a prominent candidate to replace Cook, the small age gap between them (Cook is only two years older than Williams) and Williams’ desire for a relatively early retirement ultimately removed his candidacy from consideration.

The Absence of a Pillar: Implications for Apple and Investors

Jeff Williams is considered one of Apple’s hidden yet most influential key figures, and he is the most significant individual to depart the company since Jony Ive’s exit. “Jeff’s importance and contribution to Apple were enormous, even if not always clear to the general public,” former Apple Vice President Tony Blevins, who worked under Williams until 2022, told Bloomberg. Blevins also added from an investor’s perspective: “As a shareholder, I’m sad. Time takes its toll, and it’s almost as if the band is breaking up. Jeff’s absence will be deeply felt.”

Blevins’ comments reflect investor concerns about Apple’s future without key figures who were an integral part of its core success. Williams was known for his ability to translate complex design and technological ideas into efficient mass production, while maintaining high quality standards. This presents a significant challenge for Sabih Khan, his successor, and for Tim Cook himself, who will take direct responsibility for the design team. Williams’ departure could impact future developments, supply chain efficiency, and Apple’s ability to continue innovating and maintaining its global leadership, particularly in growing areas like health and wearable technology, which Williams personally led.

Looking Ahead: Preserving Legacy and Seeking New Growth Engines

Tim Cook himself expressed his deep appreciation for Williams in a press release, stating that Apple “would not be the same without Williams.” Cook cited his contributions in “helping create one of the most respected supply chains in the world; launching and overseeing the development of the Apple Watch; planning Apple’s health strategy; and leading our design team with wisdom, heart, and dedication.” These remarks clarify the extent of Williams’ responsibilities and the legacy he leaves behind.

The challenge now facing Apple is to preserve Williams’ legacy in operations and design, while continuing to seek and develop new growth engines. Sabih Khan will need to demonstrate his ability to manage Apple’s complex supply chain and maintain operational efficiency, which has been a cornerstone of the company’s success. Concurrently, Tim Cook and his team will need to ensure continued innovation in health, smartwatches, and of course, the core – the iPhone. Williams’ departure serves as a reminder that no company, even the largest and most successful, is immune to personnel changes at the top, and that the ability to manage such transitions successfully is critical to maintaining its long-term stability and growth. The market will continue to closely monitor developments, awaiting to see how Apple navigates this period and establishes its next generation of leaders.