UK Edition
Sir Jony Ive, British designer behind iPhone and iMac, to leave Apple after 27 years
Sir Jony Ive, the British designer behind the iPhone, is leaving Apple after more than two decades, the company has announced.
The 52-year-old chief design officer said he would set up his own company in the US, and would continue to work with Apple.
Sir Jony joined Apple in 1992, during the company’s most troubled era, and has been a critical part of its revival and ascendance to one of the world’s most valuable companies.
He was central to designing products such as the iMac, the breakthrough computer that restored Apple’s reputation in 1998, and played key roles in the development of the iPod, iPhone and iPad.
Sir Jony said: “After nearly 30 years and countless projects, I am most proud of the lasting work we have done to create a design team, process and culture at Apple that is without peer. Today it is stronger, more vibrant and more talented than at any point in Apple’s history.”
Apple’s shares fell by 1pc in after-hours trading following the news. Despite the designer’s influence on many of its most lucrative products, Sir Jony is believed to have had less of a hands-on product role in recent years, and has focused much of his attention on Apple Park, the company’s huge Silicon Valley headquarters, which opened in 2017.
Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, said: “Jony is a singular figure in the design world and his role in Apple’s revival cannot be overstated, from 1998’s groundbreaking iMac to the iPhone and the unprecedented ambition of Apple Park, where recently he has been putting so much of his energy and care.
“Apple will continue to benefit from Jony’s talents by working directly with him on exclusive projects, and through the ongoing work of the brilliant and passionate design team he has built. After so many years working closely together, I’m happy that our relationship continues to evolve and I look forward to working with Jony long into the future.”
Sir Jony’s new venture, called LoveFrom, will retain Apple as a major client, meaning his exit from the company will be seen as a transition rather than a break with the past. The company said it would “continue to work closely and on a range of projects with Apple.”
Sir Jony was raised in London and studied design in Newcastle before joining Apple, where he joined a close relationship with Steve Jobs after the late founder’s return in 1997. He was knighted in 2012.
Apple said he would not be directly replaced, with the design team reporting into Jeff Williams, its chief operating officer.