Jonathan Ive leaving Apple?

Jonathan Ive is contemplating leaving Apple, according to reports.

Ive is the second highest-profile employee of Apple, and is credited for the design of the iPad and iPhone 4, amongst other iconic products.

Ive, originally from Chingford, London, is said to be willing to return to the UK to spend more time with his family and to allow his children to go to school in Britain, according to a report in the Sunday Times.

An anonymous source, who told the paper he was a close family friend of Ive's, said: "Unfortunately he is just too valuable to Apple and they told him in no uncertain terms that if he headed back to England he would not be able to sustain his position with them."

Ive is reportedly about to cash a three year "golden-handcuff" deal, consisting of some 25 million in Apple stock shares.

Apple allegedly didn't like Ive's proposition to continue to work for the Cupertino company, while commuting between the US and his home in Britain.

When contacted by IT PRO to speak about Ive's intentions and the plans to substitute him if he were to leave, Apple had no comment to make.

If proved true, this setback would add to the problems Apple has been experiencing within the past few weeks, including concerns about its chief executive's health and a controversial subscriptions battle with arch rival Google.