In a letter to the Apple Board of Directors Jobs, who for many defined Apple, said: “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.
“I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.”
Mr Jobs’s letter also contained a recommendation that Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook succeed him as CEO. Cook has been leading the company since Jobs started medical leave in January.
Apple has faced calls form some investors to publish its succession plans ever since Jobs’s poor health became a matter of public record.
Despite being on ‘sick leave’, Jobs has made a number of appearances during 2011 including at the launch of the iPad 2 and at the official launch of Mac OS X Lion.
His full letter reads:
To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
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.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
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.
A biography of Mr Jobs is set to be released in November, written by Walter Isaacson.
In a statement Apple confirmed that Jobs had been elected as Chairman of the Board and Cook appointed CEO with immediate effect.
“Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company,” said Art Levinson, Chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple’s Board.
“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.”
“The Board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO,” added Levinson. “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.”
