Apple Reshapes Leadership: Design Team to Report Directly to CEO Tim Cook

Apple Announces Major Shift in Design Team Reporting Structure

Apple has announced a significant change in its management hierarchy, setting the stage for future innovation in its iconic product lineup. Moving forward, the company’s influential design team will report directly to CEO Tim Cook, following the upcoming departure of Jeff Williams, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, by the end of this year.

Leadership Changes to Drive Product Vision

Currently, Jeff Williams oversees Apple’s industrial design and software design teams—a responsibility he assumed in 2023, after legendary designer Jony Ive left Apple in 2019. Williams played a crucial role during this transitional period, shepherding flagship products such as the iPhone, Apple Watch, and other hardware innovations. After Williams steps down as COO later this month, he will continue guiding key projects, including Apple’s design initiatives and health efforts, through the end of 2024.

Direct Access to Tim Cook: Impact on Apple’s Product Strategy

This management overhaul signals Apple’s focus on strengthening its design-driven culture as it evolves in a competitive technology landscape. Unlike previous years—when leadership shifted from Jony Ive to Evans Hankey, and then to Williams—the design group, which encompasses both hardware and software experts, will now collaborate directly with CEO Tim Cook. This streamlining is expected to accelerate decision-making, enhance product coherence, and align design more closely with Apple’s corporate vision.

Market Implications and Competitive Advantage

As Apple’s design team transitions to this new reporting structure, tech industry observers anticipate that tighter integration at the executive level will reinforce Apple’s leadership in user experience, sustainability, and hardware-software synergy. The move also underlines Apple’s commitment to innovation and market relevance, ensuring flagship devices such as the iPhone and Apple Watch remain at the forefront of global technology trends.

Operations Leadership: Sabih Khan Steps Up

In other key leadership changes, Apple has appointed Sabih Khan—formerly Senior Vice President of Operations—as the new Chief Operating Officer. Khan will assume responsibility for overseeing Apple’s complex supply chain and operational logistics, further supporting the company’s world-class product development and delivery capabilities.