GoKawiilApple promotes Steve Smith to M&A chief, reshuffles services leadership
Apple has named Steve Smith as its new head of mergers and acquisitions, succeeding Adrian Perica, who held the role for more than a decade, according to Bloomberg. Perica is moving into a larger services role reporting directly to Eddy Cue, while Carson Oliver has been promoted to vice president of the App Store, also reporting to Cue.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The reshuffle follows the start of John Ternus's expanded leadership role and suggests Apple is repositioning executives ahead of potential future succession decisions. Bloomberg reports that many Apple employees see Perica, along with Apple Music's Oliver Schusser, as a possible successor to Cue, though no decision has been made and splitting Cue's duties remains under discussion.
- Steve Smith replaces Adrian Perica as Apple's M&A chief, reporting to CFO Kevan Parekh.
- Perica takes on a bigger services role under Eddy Cue, fueling succession speculation.
- Carson Oliver becomes VP of the App Store, replacing Phil Schiller, who stepped down in August.
Source: 9to5mac.com — Chance Miller, 2026-10-08
Published there as: “Apple names new head of mergers and acquisitions, per report”
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