Le conseil d’administration d’Apple a annoncé aujourd’hui la démission de  Steve Jobs comme chef de la direction d’Apple. Tim Cook prendra la relève comme nouveau PDG de la société.

Il ne s’agit tout de même pas d’un départ définitif pour Jobs qui restera à la tête du conseil d’administration d’Apple.

Dans une lettre adressée au conseil d’administration et à la communauté d’utilisateurs Apple, Steve Jobs explique les raisons qui l’ont mené à prendre cette décision :  « j’ai toujours dit que si il y avait un jour où je ne pourrais plus accomplir mes devoirs et mes objectifs en tant que P.D.G d’Apple, je vous le fersai savoir en premier. Malheureusement, ce jour est venu. »

Tim Cook, qui occupera bientôt le siège laissé vacant par le départ de Steve Jobs, a exercé plusieurs fonctions au sein de l’entreprise. Il s’est vu entre autres confié le poste de responsable des ventes pour le marché mondial et celui de directeur de la division Macintosh. Mais il s’est surtout fait connaître ces dernières années dans son rôle de P.D.G. intérimaire, lorsqu’il a été appelé à prendre la relève de Steve Jobs à la tête d’Apple lors des absences de plus en plus fréquentes de ce dernier.

« L’extraordinaire vision et le leadership de Steve à sauvé Apple et l’a guidé à sa position de leader mondial de la technologie la plus innovante et utile », a déclaré Art Levinson, président de Genentech, au nom du conseil d’administration d’Apple.

Et pour ce qui est de Tim Cook : « Le Conseil pense que Tim est la bonne personne pour être notre prochain PDG. Il l’a prouvé durant ses 13 ans de service chez Apple, marqué d’une extraordinaire réussite, et a démontré des talents remarquables et un jugement pertinent dans tous ses actes ».

Voici le communiqué de presse officiel:

CUPERTINO, California—August 24, 2011—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’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.

Press Contacts:

Katie Cotton
Apple
katiec@apple.com
(408) 974-7269

Steve Dowling
Apple
dowling@apple.com
(408) 974-1896

Et la lettre de Steve Jobs:

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