Apple Inc. is on the cusp of significant transformations within its senior leadership team. Following the recent announcement of Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams’ impending retirement, industry insiders suggest that additional high-level departures are imminent.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman, a reputable source on Apple affairs, highlighted ongoing discussions within the company about forthcoming exits among top executives. He stated, I am hearing pretty explicitly that there are more departures set to come from the most senior levels of Apple. So I’d expect at least one other major exit next year, if not earlier.
This revelation has sparked widespread speculation regarding which senior figures might be considering stepping down. A review of Apple’s current leadership roster offers several potential candidates:
– Phil Schiller: Serving as an Apple Fellow, Schiller continues to oversee the App Store and Apple Events. His transition to this role in 2020 was driven by a desire to spend more time with family and personal projects. Given his longstanding tenure, further scaling back his responsibilities could be a possibility.
– Eddy Cue and Greg Joz Joswiak: Both executives are close in age, with Joswiak slightly older. Cue, known for his passion for basketball, might opt for a lifestyle change, while Joswiak’s recent promotion to Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing suggests he may remain in his role for the foreseeable future.
– John Giannandrea: As Senior Vice President of Machine Learning and AI Strategy, Giannandrea’s position is particularly noteworthy. His background includes a significant tenure at Google before joining Apple. Given the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and Apple’s strategic direction, his role could be subject to change.
– Johny Srouji: Overseeing Hardware Technologies, Srouji appears deeply engaged in his work. There has been little public indication of succession planning for his role, suggesting he may continue his tenure.
These potential shifts come on the heels of other notable departures:
– Doug Beck: A senior sales executive, Beck left Apple in April 2023 to assume a role at the U.S. Department of Defense. His departure marked a significant loss, given his nearly 15-year tenure and direct reporting line to CEO Tim Cook.
– Michael Abbott: Responsible for iCloud and other online services, Abbott announced his departure in April 2023. His exit followed that of Peter Stern, Vice President of Services, indicating a period of transition within Apple’s services division.
In response to these changes, Apple has been proactive in its leadership appointments:
– Kevan Parekh: Succeeding Luca Maestri, Parekh assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer in January 2025. His prior experience includes positions at Thomson Reuters and General Motors, as well as over a decade at Apple in various financial roles.
– Sabih Khan: Following Jeff Williams’ retirement announcement, Khan was appointed Chief Operating Officer in July 2025. His journey at Apple began in 1995, culminating in his previous role as Senior Vice President of Operations.
These leadership transitions underscore Apple’s commitment to strategic evolution and adaptability. As the company navigates these changes, the industry will be keenly observing how these shifts influence Apple’s trajectory in the coming years.
