Apple Inc. has announced a major leadership transition, naming John Ternus as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2026.
Current CEO Tim Cook will assume the role of Executive Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors.
The transition, unanimously approved by Apple’s board, follows what the company described as a long-term and carefully planned succession process. Cook will remain CEO through the summer, working closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth handover.
As Executive Chairman, Cook is expected to remain actively involved in the company, particularly in engaging policymakers and advising on strategic matters.
Ternus, who currently serves as Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will also join Apple’s Board of Directors on the same date.
Meanwhile, Arthur Levinson, who has served as non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will transition into the role of Lead Independent Director.
In a statement, Cook described leading Apple as the “greatest privilege” of his life, expressing pride in the company’s achievements and confidence in his successor.
“John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity,” Cook said, adding that Ternus is “without question the right person to lead Apple into the future.”
Cook also highlighted his continued commitment to the company, noting he looks forward to supporting Ternus during the transition and in his new role.
Ternus expressed gratitude for the opportunity, describing his appointment as both humbling and inspiring. Having spent nearly his entire career at Apple, he credited both Cook and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs for shaping his journey.
“I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,” he said, adding that he remains optimistic about the company’s future and committed to upholding its values of innovation and excellence.
A transformative era under Cook
Cook, who joined Apple in 1998 and became CEO in 2011, has overseen a period of unprecedented growth and transformation. Under his leadership, Apple’s market value surged from approximately $350 billion to around $4 trillion, while annual revenue nearly quadrupled.
During his tenure, the company introduced major product categories such as the Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro, while significantly expanding its services business—including iCloud, Apple Music, and Apple Pay—into a $100 billion segment.
Apple also broadened its global footprint to over 200 countries and territories, increased its workforce by more than 100,000 employees, and grew its active device base to over 2.5 billion.
Cook’s leadership further emphasised sustainability, privacy, and accessibility, with the company reducing its carbon footprint significantly while strengthening user data protection standards.
Ternus’ track record in hardware innovation
Ternus joined Apple’s product design team in 2001 and rose through the ranks to become Vice President of Hardware Engineering in 2013, later joining the executive team in 2021.
He has played a key role in the development of several flagship products across Apple’s ecosystem, including the iPhone, Mac, and iPad, as well as newer innovations such as AirPods.
His leadership has also driven advancements in durability, materials engineering, and environmental sustainability, including the use of recycled materials and improvements in product repairability.
Apple’s board expressed strong confidence in Ternus’ ability to lead the company into its next phase, citing his technical expertise, leadership qualities, and deep understanding of Apple’s culture.
With Cook remaining closely involved in a strategic capacity, the transition signals continuity in leadership while positioning Apple for its next era of innovation and growth.
