Apple is undergoing one of its most significant leadership shake-ups in recent years, as several high-profile executives exit the company. The departures come amid rising competitive pressure, particularly from Meta, which recently hired Alan Dye, Apple’s influential head of user interface design and a key figure behind the new Liquid Glass interface. Apple also confirmed that John Giannandrea, who has led its AI strategy since 2018, is stepping down and moving into an advisory role.
Two more senior executives are now set to leave. Kate Adams, Apple’s general counsel since 2017, will retire next year, while Lisa Jackson, vice president for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, will exit the company in January 2026. Apple announced that Jennifer Newstead, Meta’s former chief legal officer and a former legal adviser to the US Department of State, will assume the role of general counsel on March 1 and report directly to CEO Tim Cook.
Newstead’s appointment comes as Apple faces ongoing global regulatory and antitrust battles. Under Adams’ tenure, the company came under fire from governments and regulators over App Store fees and restrictions, including a major antitrust case filed by the US Federal Trade Commission. Meanwhile, Apple has also lost top AI researchers Ke Yang and Ruoming Pang to Meta as the competition for AI talent intensifies. Bloomberg reports that CEO Tim Cook may also be approaching retirement, with Johny Srouji, Apple’s silicon chief, seen as a potential successor.
