Apple is preparing to expand the responsibilities of some top executives in response to the imminent departure of longtime chief operating officer Jeff Williams, according to people familiar with the matter. Apple's health and fitness team will be brought under the management of services chief Eddy Cue, people familiar with the matter said. People familiar with the matter also said that software engineering chief Craig Federighi will now be responsible for managing the Apple Watch operating system. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the moves have not yet been announced.
Both executives have decades of experience at Apple, where they have steadily risen in influence and helped launch some of the company's most important products. Williams, chief operating officer since 2015, will step down at the end of the year.
Eddy Cue has long been responsible for services such as Apple TV+ and Apple Music.
Since announcing his retirement plans in July, Williams has handed over oversight responsibilities for the company's supply chain, operations, AppleCare customer support and its business in China to new operations chief Sabih Khan.
Cue's appointment to lead Apple's health business comes as the company plans to launch a new subscription service called Health+. The move also stems from Apple's desire to integrate its health and fitness businesses into one platform.
The health and fitness team was previously managed by Sumbul Desai and Jay Blahnik respectively, and for a long time reported to Williams. Under the new structure, the two teams will be merged and led by Desai, with Cue serving as her boss. Blahnik will report to Desai, people familiar with the matter said.
