End of an era at Apple: Tim Cook to step down as CEO, John Ternus to take charge

Apple Inc. announced that Tim Cook will step down as CEO and become executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors, while John Ternus, senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will become the company’s next chief executive officer, effective September 1, 2026.

Cook will continue in his role as CEO through the summer as he works closely with Ternus on a smooth transition. As executive chairman, Cook will assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world. “The transition, which was approved unanimously by the Board of Directors, follows a thoughtful, long-term succession planning process,” the announcement said.

Cook said it had been the greatest privilege of his life to serve as Apple’s CEO and to be entrusted with leading such an extraordinary company. He added that he loves Apple deeply and is grateful for the opportunity to work with a team that is ingenious, innovative, creative, and deeply caring, noting their unwavering dedication to enriching customers’ lives and creating the best products and services in the world.

“John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and honour. He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future. I could not be more confident in his abilities and character, and I look forward to working closely with him during this transition and in my new role as executive chairman,” Cook said.

“I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,” said Ternus. “Having spent almost my entire career at Apple, I have been fortunate to have worked under Steve Jobs and to have had Tim Cook as my mentor. It has been a privilege to help shape products and experiences that have transformed how we interact with the world and with one another. I am optimistic about what we can achieve in the years to come, and I am proud to be part of a team committed to something bigger than any one of us. I am humbled to step into this role and will lead with the values and vision that have defined Apple for decades.”

Ternus to join the board of directors

Ternus will also join the board of directors, effective September 1, 2026.

Arthur Levinson, who has been Apple’s non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will become its lead independent director on September 1, 2026. “Tim’s unprecedented leadership has transformed Apple into one of the world’s most successful companies. He has consistently introduced groundbreaking products and services, and his integrity and values are reflected in everything Apple does,” Levinson said.

“I want to thank Art for the incredible work he has done leading the board over the past 15 years,” Cook said. “I have always found his advice invaluable, and I appreciate his thoughtfulness and unwavering dedication to the company. I am grateful he will serve as our lead independent director and look forward to working with him in my new role.”

Ternus’ contribution at Apple

John Ternus joined Apple’s product design team in 2001 and was named vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013. He joined the executive team in 2021 as senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. Over the years, he has led hardware development across a wide range of products, contributing to launches in nearly every major category.

His work has been central to the rollout of products such as the iPad and AirPods, as well as multiple generations of iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch.

His leadership in the Mac segment has strengthened its performance and global appeal, bringing it to one of its strongest positions in its 40-year history. This includes the introduction of MacBook Neo, a new laptop aimed at making the Mac ecosystem more accessible.

More recently, his team led updates to the iPhone lineup, including the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, the slimmer iPhone Air, and the iPhone 17, positioning them as significant upgrades for users. Under his direction, AirPods have also seen major improvements, particularly in active noise cancellation and features supporting hearing health, including functionality comparable to over-the-counter hearing aids.

Ternus has also focused on improving product durability and reliability, introducing engineering approaches that enhance device resilience. He has contributed to advancements in materials and design aimed at reducing environmental impact, including the use of a new recycled aluminium alloy across product lines, the adoption of 3D-printed titanium in Apple Watch Ultra 3, and improvements in repairability to extend product lifecycles.

Where did Ternus work before

Prior to Apple, Ternus worked as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

Tim Cook’s journey at Apple

Tim Cook joined Apple in 1998 and became CEO in 2011. Since then, he has overseen the launch of several major products and services, including new categories such as the Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro, alongside services like iCloud, Apple Pay, Apple TV, and Apple Music.

During his tenure, Apple’s market capitalisation has grown from about $350 billion to $4 trillion—an increase of over 1,000%—while annual revenue has nearly quadrupled, rising from $108 billion in FY2011 to more than $416 billion in FY2025. The company has expanded its presence to over 200 countries and territories.

Its retail network now includes more than 500 stores, with the number of markets hosting Apple Stores more than doubling. Apple’s workforce has grown by over 100,000 employees, and its active installed base has crossed 2.5 billion devices.

Services have become a major growth driver under Cook, evolving into a business generating over $100 billion annually—comparable in scale to a Fortune 40 company. He has also expanded Apple’s wearables segment and strengthened its role in health and safety.

Under Cook, Apple transitioned to in-house silicon, enabling tighter integration across hardware and software while improving performance and power efficiency. He has also reinforced the company’s core values, embedding sustainability, privacy, and accessibility into its operations. Apple has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 60% from 2015 levels, even as revenue nearly doubled.

Cook has consistently positioned privacy as a fundamental right while strengthening Apple’s focus on user security and advancing accessibility and inclusion across the organisation.