Apple Appoints Sabih Khan as New COO in Key Leadership Transition

Longtime Apple veteran Sabih Khan to become Tim Cook’s No. 2, marking a pivotal move in the company’s succession planning.

Apple Inc. has officially named Sabih Khan as its new Chief Operating Officer, succeeding Jeff Williams in a carefully coordinated leadership transition that reinforces the company’s long-term strategy and operational continuity. The move, announced on Tuesday, positions Khan—who has been with the tech giant for three decades—as the No. 2 executive behind CEO Tim Cook.

Currently serving as Senior Vice President of Operations, Khan will assume his new role later this month, Apple said in a statement. His appointment comes as part of a long-planned succession strategy, reflecting Apple’s commitment to nurturing leadership from within.

Khan’s tenure at Apple spans nearly 30 years, beginning with his entry into the company’s procurement division in 1995. Prior to Apple, he worked at GE Plastics as an applications development engineer and key account technical leader—experience that has shaped his expertise in global operations and supply chain management.

“Sabih has played a critical role in building Apple’s world-class operations network,” said a company spokesperson. “His leadership has ensured that our products are delivered with quality, speed, and sustainability at a global scale.”

With Khan’s promotion, outgoing COO Jeff Williams will continue to report directly to CEO Tim Cook. Williams will maintain oversight of Apple’s design team and Apple Watch until his planned retirement later this year. Once Williams retires, Apple’s design team will report directly to Tim Cook—a signal of the CEO’s growing influence over product vision.

Khan’s elevation comes at a pivotal time for Apple as the company navigates slowing iPhone sales, expands its services portfolio, and doubles down on emerging technologies such as spatial computing and artificial intelligence. As COO, Khan will be responsible for managing Apple’s vast global supply chain, manufacturing systems, and the operational integrity that underpins its brand promise of quality and innovation.

This leadership shift underscores Apple’s strategy of internal succession and operational excellence. With Khan stepping into a critical role, the company aims to maintain its edge in delivering industry-leading products while steering through an evolving global tech landscape.