Apple's COO Williams to retire after 27 years

Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer and Tim Cook’s longtime lieutenant, is retiring after spending 2 1/2 decades turning the company into an operational machine, capable of making more than 200 million iPhones a year at low prices that allowed the company to rake in tremendous profits.

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The retirement of Mr Williams, 62, who was long considered Mr Cook’s most likely successor, means that Apple's next CEO is likely to be one of the company’s other leaders. Apple analysts and observers say possible candidates for the job include John Ternus, the company’s head of hardware engineering; Craig Federighi, its head of software; and Eddy Cue, its head of services.

Sabih Khan, Apple’s senior vice president of operations, will replace Mr Williams as the company’s chief operating officer later this month. A 30-year employee of Apple, Mr Khan has been in charge of Apple’s supply chain, procurement and logistics since 2019.

Mr Cook will assume oversight for other divisions that Mr Williams ran, including Apple's design, watch and health teams.