After nearly 30 years at Apple, Sabih Khan—of Indian origin—has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, succeeding Jeff Williams as part of a long-planned leadership transition announced by CEO Tim Cook.
From Moradabad to the C‑Suite
-
Born in 1966 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, Khan spent his early years in India and Singapore before moving to the U.S.
-
He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics & Mechanical Engineering (Tufts University) and a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering (RPI).
A 30-Year Apple Journey
-
Joined Apple in 1995 after working at GE Plastics. Advanced through procurement and operations teams.
-
Appointed Senior Vice President of Operations in 2019. Led Apple’s global supply chain, sustainability drives, and COVID-responsive manufacturing shifts.
COO Role & Succession Strategy
-
Effective late July 2025, Khan will succeed Jeff Williams, under whom Apple thrived across the Apple Watch, product design, and supply chain. Williams will transition to lead design and health teams during his final months.
-
Tim Cook praised Khan as a “brilliant strategist” and “one of the central architects of Apple’s supply chain”.
Sustainability & Operational Excellence
-
Under Khan’s leadership, Apple slashed its carbon footprint by over 60%, bolstered green manufacturing, and expanded U.S. production—moves increasingly critical amid global trade tensions and shifting tariffs.
What Lies Ahead
-
As COO, Khan will steer Apple through:
-
Supply chain diversification (e.g., boosting iPhone production in India)
-
Advanced manufacturing automation
-
Sustainability initiatives and resilience planning for future disruptions
-
Final Takeaway
Sabih Khan’s elevation to COO marks a significant moment for Apple and Indian-origin representation in global technology leadership. His deep technical expertise, operational mastery, and sustainability focus make him well-suited to guide Apple through its next growth phase—and cement its global manufacturing footprint.
Read more on our website: Future Ready, your go-to platform for the best educational content and latest updates.
Read More Related Blogs :-