Apple Inc. has announced the appointment of Indian-origin executive Sabih Khan as its new Chief Operating Officer, marking a significant leadership transition within the tech giant. The move, confirmed in a company statement on Wednesday and initially reported by PTI, will see Khan succeed Jeff Williams later this month. This continues to be another feather in India’s cap as another son of the soil becomes a global industry leader and visionary.
In recent years, Indian-origin executives have been making a remarkable impact on global tech leadership, and Sabih Khan’s appointment as Apple’s Chief Operating Officer adds another name to that distinguished list. Joining the ranks of industry giants like Sundar Pichai (Google), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), and Arvind Krishna (IBM), Khan’s rise reflects the growing influence of Indian talent in shaping the future of innovation and enterprise at the highest levels. Born to Indian parents, his elevation to Apple’s C-suite is not just a personal milestone; it’s part of a broader narrative of global leadership increasingly powered by diverse, international voices.
Khan, a seasoned veteran who joined Apple nearly three decades ago, has served as Senior Vice President of Operations since 2019. In that capacity, he has overseen the company’s vast global supply chain and manufacturing operations, playing a pivotal role in ensuring operational resilience and scalability.
Born in 1966 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, Khan completed his early education in India before relocating with his family to Singapore. He later moved to the United States, where he pursued dual bachelor’s degrees in economics and mechanical engineering from Tufts University. He subsequently earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Apple acknowledged the leadership transition with clarity, stating: “Jeff Williams will transition his role as chief operating officer later this month to Sabih Khan, Apple’s senior vice president of operations, as part of a long-planned succession.”
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Williams, a longstanding figure at Apple, will remain with the company for the remainder of the year. During this period, he will continue to report directly to CEO Tim Cook, maintaining oversight of Apple’s design team and its health and Apple Watch programmes. Upon his retirement, the design team will report directly to Cook.
Reflecting on Khan’s contributions, Tim Cook said: “While overseeing Apple’s supply chain, he has helped pioneer new technologies in advanced manufacturing, overseen the expansion of Apple’s manufacturing footprint in the United States, and helped ensure that Apple can be nimble in response to global challenges.”
Khan began his journey at Apple in 1995 within the procurement group. Prior to that, he held a role at GE Plastics as an applications development engineer and key account technical leader. His elevation to Chief Operating Officer stands as a testament to his long-standing dedication and operational acumen within one of the world’s most influential technology companies.
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