Apple Inc. has announced a major leadership transition, naming John Ternus as its next chief executive officer, with effect from September 1, 2026, as long-serving CEO Tim Cook prepares to step into a new role as executive chairman of the company’s board.
The decision, which the company said was unanimously approved by its board of directors, follows what it described as a carefully planned, long-term succession process aimed at ensuring continuity in leadership at one of the world’s most valuable technology firms.
Tim Cook
Cook will remain in his current role through the summer, working closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth transition. In his new capacity as executive chairman, he is expected to continue supporting the company, particularly in engagements with policymakers and on broader strategic matters.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple,” Cook said, reflecting on his tenure. “I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a team dedicated to creating products and services that enrich people’s lives.”
Cook, who joined Apple in 1998 and became CEO in 2011, has overseen a period of significant expansion and transformation for the company. During his leadership, Apple’s market capitalisation grew from about $350 billion to roughly $4 trillion, while annual revenue nearly quadrupled to more than $416 billion in fiscal 2025.
His tenure also saw the introduction of major product categories such as the Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro, alongside the rapid growth of Apple’s services business, which has evolved into a $100 billion segment spanning offerings like iCloud, Apple Pay, Apple TV, and Apple Music.
Beyond financial performance, Cook drove Apple’s expansion into over 200 countries and territories, increased its retail footprint to more than 500 stores, and grew its global workforce significantly. The company’s active installed base now exceeds 2.5 billion devices worldwide.
Apple also deepened its focus on sustainability and privacy under Cook’s leadership. The company reduced its carbon footprint by more than 60 percent compared to 2015 levels, while strengthening its stance on user privacy and data protection, positioning these as core pillars of its brand.
Taking over from Cook, John Ternus brings more than two decades of experience within Apple. He joined the company in 2001 and rose through the ranks to become senior vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2021, playing a central role in the development of several of Apple’s flagship products.
John Ternus
Ternus has led engineering efforts across a wide range of product categories, including iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods. His work has been particularly influential in advancing Apple’s hardware design, materials innovation, and product durability, while also contributing to improvements in performance and energy efficiency.
He has also overseen the introduction of new product iterations and design breakthroughs, including recent updates to Apple’s iPhone lineup and Mac computers, as well as enhancements in wearable technologies that integrate health and accessibility features.
“I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward.Having spent most of my career at Apple, it has been a privilege to help shape products that have transformed how people interact with technology,” Ternus said.
He added that he remains optimistic about the company’s future and committed to upholding the values that have defined Apple’s culture and innovation over the years.
The transition comes at a time when Apple continues to navigate an increasingly competitive global technology landscape, with growing focus on artificial intelligence, hardware innovation, and digital services.
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