iPad designer Jonathan Ive to quit?

The tech world is fueled with rumors of Jonathan Ive, Apple’s ‘Man Behind The Curtain’ quitting the organization.

Will he quit or will he not?(Picture courtesy - geeky-gadgets.com)

Jonathan Ive, best known as the ‘iconic designer of iPad’, is Apple’s Senior Vice President of industrial design. The reason behind this apparent move seems to be the fact that he wants to move to the UK, his native place. Apple has reportedly told him that if he moved back to England he could no longer work with the company. The board is supposedly unhappy with him spending more time in his native place.

“Unfortunately he is just too valuable to Apple and they told him in no uncertain terms that if he headed back to England he would not be able to sustain his position with them,” as quoted by a friend on Times. According to a report by the Times and Daily Mail, Ive got an option grant in 2008, which is now worth $US30 million. If he decides to sell that stock, his combined net worth would be $US128 million. Leading the design team at Apple since 1996, Jonathan today is the driving force behind the design of majority of the objects.

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According to the same report, Ive wants to educate his kids in England and hence, the decision. Although, an Apple spokesperson dismissed this as ‘speculation’; it still remains a cause of worry, especially after the recent news of Steve Jobs’ ill health.