Who is Sabih Khan, Apple's new COO with Indian roots?

In a key leadership transition at Apple, Indian-origin executive Sabih Khan has been appointed as the company’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Khan, who has been part of Apple for nearly 30 years, will officially take over the role later this month, succeeding Jeff Williams, the long-serving COO.

Currently Apple’s Vice President of Operations, Khan has played a pivotal role in the tech giant’s rise, especially when it comes to building and managing its global supply chain.

Apple CEO Tim Cook described him as “a brilliant strategist and one of the central architects of Apple’s supply chain.”

“Sabih leads with heart and values, and I know he will make an exceptional chief operating officer,” Cook added. “He helped ensure that Apple can be nimble in response to global challenges.”

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So, who exactly is Sabih Khan? What’s his story, and what will he be doing in his new role at Apple? Here’s a quick look.

Who is Sabih Khan?

• Born in 1966 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, Sabih Khan spent his early years in India before moving to Singapore at the age of 10. He eventually relocated to the United States, where he pursued higher education and began his professional journey.

• Khan holds dual bachelor’s degrees in economics and mechanical engineering from Tufts University, and went on to earn a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

• Before joining Apple, he worked at GE Plastics (now known as SABIC) as an applications development engineer and later as a key account technical leader.

• Khan joined Apple in 1995 and has been with the company for nearly 30 years, playing a vital role in shaping the global supply chain that powers Apple’s operations around the world.

• In 2019, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations, reporting directly to Jeff Williams. In this role, he led key initiatives in advanced manufacturing, expanding Apple’s global footprint, and navigating complex supply chain challenges, especially during turbulent global events.

• He has also been a major force behind Apple’s environmental efforts. Under his leadership, the company has reportedly reduced its carbon footprint by over 60 per cent, thanks to stronger supplier partnerships and green manufacturing practices.

• Khan also oversees Apple’s supplier responsibility programmes, which aim to improve labour conditions, and provide education and training for workers at production facilities globally.

What will be Khan’s role as COO?

As the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO), Khan will lead Apple’s entire operations division—this includes everything from manufacturing and supply chain management to sustainability initiatives and supplier ethics.


    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
      
      
      
      
    
      
      
      
      
      
      
        
      
      
      
    
      
      
      
      
    
      
      
    
      
        
          
          
          
          
            
          
               
          
          
               
        
      
    
      
      

      
      

      

        
          
            
          
      
      
 
    
      
      
      
    
    
      
      
      
      
    
    
    

His team will ensure that Apple products, whether iPhones, Macs or Apple Watches, are built and delivered with the quality, scale, and precision that Apple is known for worldwide.


    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
      
      
    
        
        
    
        
          
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
        
            
            
        
    
        
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
        

            
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Khan takes over from Jeff Williams, who is set to retire later this year after nearly three decades at Apple. Until then, Williams will continue to lead the design and Apple Watch teams, after which those teams will report directly to CEO Tim Cook.


    

        
        
        
        
    

Williams expressed deep confidence in Khan, saying, “I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Sabih for 27 years and I think he’s the most talented operations executive on the planet.”


    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
      
      
      
      
    
      
      
      
      
      
      
        
      
      
      
    
      
      
      
      
    
      
      
    
      
        
          
          
          
          
            
          
               
          
          
               
        
      
    
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
    
    
      

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Cook echoed that sentiment, calling Khan a leader who “leads with heart and values,” and adding, “I know he will make an exceptional chief operating officer.”

With input from agencies