Being just one step away from the top leadership position at Apple Computers, the speculation continues as to whether Jonathan Ive, currently the company's senior vice president for industrial design, could be the next company CEO.

The speculation regarding Ive is related to talk about Apple Computers' need to prepare a successor to current CEO Steve Jobs. In the light of a recent stock options controversy that has rocked the Apple Computers, Jobs is under pressure to name his replacement as part of what many feel the company's succession plan should be.

The possible choice of Ive is not a surprising one, considering that Jonathan Ive's list of achievements is nothing to sneeze at. A recent example would be the sales of the highly successful Apple iPhone en route to reaching the half-million mark.

Mr. Ive has also received a reward from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of England in the form of a grade of Commander of the Order of the British Empire.