Apple Names John Ternus CEO, Tim Cook to Become Executive Chairman

Apple has announced a major leadership transition, naming John Ternus as its next CEO, with Tim Cook set to become Executive Chairman of the board. Ternus, who currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will assume his new role effective September 1, 2026. 

The move, unanimously approved by the board, follows what the company described as a long-term succession plan.

Cook will continue as CEO through the summer, working closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth handover. In his new role as executive chairman, Cook is expected to remain involved in key areas, including global policy engagement.

The leadership reshuffle also includes board-level changes. Arthur Levinson, who has served as non-executive chairman for 15 years, will transition to lead independent director, while Ternus will join Apple’s board on the same date.

Cook, who has led Apple since 2011, endorsed Ternus as his successor, calling him a “visionary” with deep technical expertise and long-standing contributions to the company. Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001 and rose through the hardware engineering ranks, said he was “profoundly grateful” for the opportunity and credited both Cook and Steve Jobs as formative influences.

The transition marks the end of a defining era under Cook, during which Apple significantly expanded its scale and product portfolio. Since he became CEO, Apple’s market capitalisation has grown from about $350 billion to $4 trillion, while annual revenue has nearly quadrupled from $108 billion in 2011 to over $416 billion in fiscal 2025.

Cook’s tenure saw the launch of new product categories, including Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro, alongside a rapid expansion of the company’s services business, now generating over $100 billion annually. Apple also transitioned to in-house silicon, strengthening control over its hardware ecosystem and improving performance and efficiency across devices.

Beyond financial growth, Cook emphasised privacy, accessibility, and sustainability. Under his leadership, Apple reduced its carbon footprint by more than 60% from 2015 levels, even as revenue nearly doubled, and expanded its presence to more than 200 countries and territories. The company now operates over 500 retail stores and supports an installed base exceeding 2.5 billion active devices.

Ternus steps into the CEO role after more than two decades at Apple, where he has overseen hardware development across major product lines, including iPhone, Mac, iPad, and AirPods. He has played a key role in advancing product durability, materials innovation, and environmental design, including the use of recycled aluminium and 3D-printed titanium in newer devices.

His recent work includes leadership on Apple’s latest iPhone lineup and Mac innovations, as well as efforts to expand accessibility and health-focused features in products such as AirPods.

The appointment signals continuity in Apple’s strategy, with a leader deeply rooted in its hardware and product culture taking charge, while Cook remains closely tied to the company in a strategic oversight role.