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Apple is once again in the news, after multiple high-profile leadership changes over the last month. The company previously announced it would appoint Jennifer Newstead as its general counsel on March 1, 2026, following the retirement of long-time COO Jeff Williams, the departure of AI chief John Giannandrea and design leader Alan Dye’s move to Meta. She will succeed Kate Adams, who has been in the position since 2017.

Newstead joins Apple in January as senior vice president and will report directly to CEO Tim Cook. As part of the executive team, she will help shape Apple’s legal strategy during an era defined by privacy concerns, global regulatory pressure, and intensifying scrutiny over big-tech operations. Newstead’s career spans both public office and the tech industry: she previously served as chief legal officer at Meta and held senior roles across the US State Department, Department of Justice, and the White House.

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Restructuring After Lisa Jackson’s Retirement

Alongside Newstead’s appointment, Apple also announced that Lisa Jackson — the company’s vice president for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives — will retire at the end of January 2026. Jackson has been a key force behind Apple’s sustainability and policy programmes, including sweeping carbon reduction efforts across its supply chain. Tim Cook credited her leadership for driving down the company’s total emissions by more than 60 per cent compared to 2015.

Jackson’s exit is set to lead to broader changes at the organisation. Throughout the transition, Apple’s Government Affairs organisation will report to Kate Adams. After Adams steps aside later this year in 2026, Newstead will be the executive supervising both legal and government affairs as senior vice president, General Counsel and Government Affairs.

Responsibility for the Environment and Social Initiatives teams will be transferred to chief operating officer Sabih Khan, an indication that Apple plans to integrate environmental considerations into product development, logistics and operations.

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Cook’s Tribute and What Comes Next

Tim Cook paid tribute to both outgoing heads, noting Adams’ commitment to privacy and innovation and Jackson’s legacy on sustainability. These shake-ups come as Apple is at a watershed moment, pushing deeper into AI while grappling with regulators around the world and gearing up for renewed investment in hardware categories from health tech to spatial computing.

Newstead has a legal background in high-stakes regulatory environments and tech policy, so her hiring suggests Apple’s priorities for the next stage: governance, compliance, privacy and diplomacy. And as these shifts gradually take hold, the shape of Apple’s executive structure will be a focus over 2026.

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