Steve Jobs vertrekt als baas bij Apple - update

Jobs maakte zijn opstappen als dagelijks leider in een verklaring bekend even na middernacht Nederlandse tijd. De visionaire leider van Apple kampt al enige tijd met een zware ziekte. Zijn opvolger Cook nam de dagelijkse gang van zaken al tijdelijk waar. Jobs verscheen dit jaar alleen nog maar bij grote evenementen van het bedrijf.

De handel in aandelen Apple was in afwachting van de verklaring van Jobs en Apple al voor het einde van de beurs op Wall Street stil gelegd. Nabeurs en na de verklaring van Jobs dook de koers omlaag. Er ging in de virtuele handel meer dan 20 dollar af, zo'n 6 procent. Sinds Jobs in 1997 terugkwam bij Apple om het bedrijf van de ondergang te redden, is de waarde van de aandelen zo'n beetje verhonderdvoudigd. Het is nu in marktwaarde het grootste bedrijf ter wereld.

De dag is gekomen

In zijn verklaring zegt Jobs: “Ik heb altijd gezegd dat als de dag komt dat ik niet meer kan voldoen aan mijn verplichtingen en de verwachtingen als Apple's ceo, ik dat jullie zou laten weten. Helaas, die dag is nu gekomen."

In de brief heeft Jobs het verder over zijn vertrouwen in Apple, dat de beste dagen zelfs nog komen en dat in zijn ogen Tim Cook de logische opvolger is. Apple heeft onder druk van de aandeelhouders eind vorig jaar een opvolgingsplan gemaakt waarin Cook al als logische kroonprins werd genoemd.

Jobs zegt toestemming te vragen om voorzitter te worden van de Board of Directors, een toezichthoudende raad die enigszins te vergelijken is met een Nederlandse Raad van Commissarissen. Volgens de laatste info op de Apple-website is het voorzitterschap in handen van Bill Campbell. Onduidelijk wat zijn status nu is. De Board heeft inmiddels laten weten per direct het voorzitterschap van Jobs te aanvaarden.

Voor de volledigheid hieronder eerst de brief van Jobs en daaronder het persbericht dat Apple als bedrijf publiceerde.

Letter from Steve Jobs

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve

Steve Jobs Resigns as CEO of Apple

Tim Cook Named CEO and Jobs Elected Chairman of the Board

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apple's Board of Directors today announced that Steve Jobs has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, and the Board has named Tim Cook, previously Apple's Chief Operating Officer, as the company's new CEO. Jobs has been elected Chairman of the Board and Cook will join the Board, effective immediately.

“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."

“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."

Jobs submitted his resignation to the Board today and strongly recommended that the Board implement its succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO.

As COO, Cook was previously responsible for all of the company's worldwide sales and operations, including end-to-end management of Apple's supply chain, sales activities, and service and support in all markets and countries. He also headed Apple's Macintosh division and played a key role in the continued development of strategic reseller and supplier relationships, ensuring flexibility in response to an increasingly demanding marketplace.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced iPad 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

Update 0203: Details over aandelenkoers nabeurs en de status van Board of Directors toegevoegd.