Apple is stepping up its succession planning efforts, as it prepares for Tim Cook to step down as chief executive as soon as next year. During Cook’s tenure, the Big Tech group’s market capitalisation has surged from about $350 billion in 2011 to $4 trillion today. Long-time Cook confidante, chief financial officer Luca Maestri, stepped back from his role at the start of this year. Jeff Williams, a Cook protege, announced he was stepping down as chief operating officer in July. Cook has voiced his preference for an internal candidate to be chosen as his replacement, saying the company has “very detailed succession plans”.
