Five things you need to know about Jonathan “Jony” Ive
Jonathan Ive, Apple’s homesick principal designer, has been grabbing headlines recently after apparently expressing a desire to bosses to ditch the delights of San Francisco in order to make a return to Blighty - to give his twin sons a British education.
Being the second (potential) big name Apple departure in as many weeks (following Steve Jobs medical leave) the story has set the grapevine rustling with rumours, but what is it exactly which makes Ive tick?
As senior vice president of industrial design Ive is the inspiration behind many of Apple’s most recognisable products, including the iPad, imac, Phone and iPod – work which has elevated the designer to the second most important individual within the technology firm – in the eyes of many.
He began his career with a short stint at London design agency Tangerine before emigrating to the States in 1992 to pursue his career at Apple.
That proved to be an inspired move as he quickly rose in prominence when Steve Jobs retook the helm in 1997 whereupon he assumed his present grandiloquent title.
A slew of awards followed, including a CBE for services to the design industry in the 2006 New Years Honours list.
Despite his far flung residence Ive’s affection for his native island was apparent in his choice of carriage, the designer could regularly be seen pootling around the steep streets of San Fran’s Twin peak district in his Aston Martin.