Steve Jobs stands aside as Apple CEO
Posted by Jon Wilcox in Technology, Business profiles, Business lifestyle on Thu, 25/08/2011 - 11:49
The co-founder of Apple Inc., has confirmed he is to step down as chief executive of the company with immediate effect.
In a letter addressed to the Apple board and the Apple community, Steve Jobs commented: “I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.”
Jobs has been on indefinite medical leave at Apple since January this year, his third term of leave from the company since being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. Two years ago he underwent a liver transplant.
Apple COO Tim Cook, who has stood in for Jobs during his periods of medical leave, has been appointed CEO. Jobs will now become chairman of the company he co-founded in the 1970s with Steve Wozniak.
He departed Apple in the mid-1980s, only to return in 1996 to helm the transformation of the company and overturn its fortunes. The company launched the iMac computers in the late 1990s before releasing some of the biggest brands in consumer technology over the following 15 years, including the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad.
Earlier this year, Jobs unveiled the company’s Cloud Computing platform, iCloud.
“I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role,” continued Jobs in his letter. “I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.”
Art Levinson, chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple's board, said: “Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company.
“Steve has made countless contributions to Apple’s success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple’s immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration,” he added.
Levinson also said the Apple board has “complete confidence” in Tim Cook as successor to Jobs: “Tim’s 13 years of service to Apple have been marked by outstanding performance, and he has demonstrated remarkable talent and sound judgment in everything he does.”
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