Indian-Origin Sabih Khan Becomes Apple’s New Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Apple Inc. has officially named Sabih Khan, an Indian-origin executive, as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). He will take over from Jeff Williams, who has held the position since 2015. The transition is part of a long-planned leadership change at the company.
Who Is Sabih Khan?
- Born: 1966, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Early Life: Moved to Singapore during school, later shifted to the United States
- Education:
- Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University
- Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Sabih Khan’s Journey at Apple
- Joined Apple in 1995 as part of the procurement team
- Became Senior Vice President of Operations in 2019
- He has worked for nearly 30 years at Apple
- Played a major role in building Apple’s global supply chain
- Previously worked at GE Plastics as an engineer and technical leader
Key Responsibilities at Apple
Sabih Khan has overseen:
- Product planning and procurement
- Manufacturing and logistics
- Quality control and product delivery
- Supplier responsibility programs to protect workers
- Support for Apple’s environmental goals, including green manufacturing
Role in Apple’s Global Strategy
Khan’s promotion comes at a time when India is becoming a key focus for Apple—both as a growing market and a manufacturing hub. He has helped expand Apple’s operations in the U.S. and guided the company during global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Praise from CEO Tim Cook
Apple CEO Tim Cook praised Sabih Khan for:
- Being a brilliant strategist
- Helping reduce Apple’s carbon footprint by over 60%
- Supporting advanced manufacturing technologies
- Leading Apple with strong values and a good heart
Cook added, “I know he will make an exceptional Chief Operating Officer.”
What Happens Next?
- Sabih Khan will formally take over later this month
- Jeff Williams will continue to oversee Apple Watch and design teams until he retires later this year
- After Williams’ retirement, the design team will report directly to Tim Cook
This leadership change marks an important moment for Apple as it prepares for its next phase of innovation and global expansion.
