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Apple has made a significant change to its leadership structure, with the appointment of its first-ever Chief People Officer. Carol Surface has joined the tech giant, taking over human resources responsibilities from Deirdre O’Brien, who currently serves as the head of retail.
In 2019, O’Brien was hired by Apple as the senior vice president of People + Retail, a role that put her in charge of the company’s over 500 retail stores and more than 70,000 employees. However, according to a memo shared by CEO Tim Cook and seen by Bloomberg, the people aspect of O’Brien’s role has now shifted to Surface.
The appointment of a Chief People Officer at Apple marks an important moment for the company, as it underscores the growing importance of human resources within the organization. Surface brings with her a wealth of experience from her previous role at Medtronic Plc, and she will be tasked with ensuring that Apple continues to attract, retain, and develop its talented workforce.
With the recent unionization of many Apple Stores and public complaints from employees, Surface will definitely have her work cut out for her. However, her appointment demonstrates Apple’s commitment to putting its people first, and it will be exciting to see how she navigates the challenges and opportunities ahead.
