Apple is preparing for more changes within its leadership team as retirement discussions continue to surface. In the past year, two senior executives—CFO Luca Maestri and COO Jeff Williams—announced their retirements. Both executives have played pivotal roles, and their departures signal the beginning of a broader leadership shift.
Maestri stepped down from his CFO role in 2024, with Kevan Parekh taking over. While Maestri now serves as VP of Corporate Services, his influence has gradually reduced. Williams also began his retirement transition in mid-2025, handing over operational responsibilities to Sabih Khan, though he remains involved in Apple’s design oversight for now.
Rumors of More Exits
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that additional high-profile retirements could follow soon, with one expected by late 2025 or early 2026. While no specific names have been confirmed, speculation centers on Apple’s aging leadership team. The company’s senior lineup includes Greg Joswiak (61), Eddy Cue (60), and Sabih Khan (59). Each is approaching an age where retirement becomes a possibility.
Planning for the Future
The departures highlight Apple’s need for careful succession planning. Tim Cook himself suggested in 2021 that he would likely step down within ten years, making leadership continuity a pressing issue. Each transition reshapes Apple’s internal structure, requiring balance between retaining experience and bringing in fresh perspectives.
Apple’s strategy so far has been to stagger retirements, ensuring knowledge transfer and stability during shifts. While these changes raise questions about the company’s long-term direction, they also open opportunities for a new generation of leaders to emerge.
A Turning Point for Apple
Apple’s identity has long been tied to its leadership. As veteran executives prepare to exit, the company faces the challenge of maintaining innovation while navigating generational change. Whether these upcoming retirements will disrupt Apple’s momentum or spark a new wave of leadership remains a key storyline for the years ahead.
