Apple has reportedly sacked the executive responsible for the firm’s much-maligned mapping service.

Bloomberg reports that Richard Williamson, who oversaw the mapping team, was pushed out by SVP Eddy Cue, who was put in charge of an enlarged online services division (including maps) as part of a management reshuffle last month.

Apple has not officially confirmed Williamson’s dismissal – but the maps fiasco was seen as a major embarrassment for the firm, forcing CEO Tim Cook to make a public apology.

Apple replaced Google Maps with its own service in iOS6 to coincide with the launch of the iPhone 5 in September. The service was widely criticised for being unclear and incomplete and missing many major landmarks.

According to sources at Bloomberg, Cue is now seeking advice from outside mapping-technology experts such as TomTom in order to address the problems. He is also said to want to install a new leadership team for the group, though it is not known if Williamson will be directly replaced.

The mapping issue was also seen as a factor in the departure of iOS chief Scott Forstall in last month’s reorganisation.