Apple CEO Tim Cook has been named the Financial Times “Person of the Year.” The economic-centric newspaper honored Cook for Apple’s financial success and dazzling new technology, in addition to his “brave exposition of his values.”
In revealing their pick, the London-based publication noted that shares of Apple are up 50 percent since the company’s annual shareholder meeting in February. It was then that Cook warned investors to “get out of the stock” if they valued profit over issues such as human rights, renewable energy, or accessibility for people with special needs.
The Cook-led Apple has increased its value, and introduced such products as the Apple Watch, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and a new mobile payments solution, Apple Pay over the past year.
Cook has also notably increased diversity in the company’s executive ranks, made moves to reduce the company’s dependance on oil and other non-renewable energy sources, and improved transparency in Apple’s supply chain.
Cook took a personal stand for gay rights in October, when he came out in an open letter in which he said he is “proud to be gay.”
“While I have never denied my sexuality, I haven’t publicly acknowledged it either, until now. So let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.”
The Financial Times also spotlighted the increased share buybacks and dividends Apple has paid to investors. Also noted was the $3 billion May acquisition of Beats Electronics, and the debuts of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in September.
Cook was also a runner-up in Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” award in 2014, losing out to “the Ebola fighters.”
