Apple has appointed Deirdre O’Brien as senior VP, retail. In this role, she will oversee Apple’s operations across its 35 online stores and 506 retail stores in five continents. An Apple veteran, O’Brien has been associated with the company for over three decades. She will continue to lead the Peo­ple team, overseeing all people-related functions, including talent development and Apple University, recruiting, em­ployee relations and experience, business partnerships, benefits, compensation, inclusion and diversity. O’Brien takes over from Angela Ahrendts.