Tim Cook to Step Down as Apple CEO, John Ternus to Lead Tech Giant's Future
Apple announced a leadership change: on September 1, 2026, Tim Cook will assume the position of Executive Chairman of the Board, and John Ternus, the current Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will become the new CEO.
What is known
Until the transition, Cook will continue to fulfill his duties as CEO and work with Ternus to ensure a smooth handover of management. In his new role, he will particularly engage with governments and regulators worldwide.
In a statement, Cook noted that leading the company has been the greatest honor of his life. He emphasized that John Ternus possesses all the necessary qualities for this role—engineering mindset, innovative approach, and leadership ability. Ternus himself said he is grateful for the opportunity to lead the company and intends to continue its mission, drawing on his experience working with Steve Jobs and mentorship from Tim Cook.
It is also reported that Arthur Levinson, who has been the independent Chairman of the Board for 15 years, will become the Lead Independent Director. John Ternus will also join the Board of Directors.
Tim Cook joined Apple in 1998 and has led the company as CEO since 2011. During this time, Apple expanded its product line and service direction, including the launch of the Apple Watch, AirPods, and Vision Pro, as well as the development of services like iCloud, Apple Pay, Apple Music, and Apple TV. The company's market capitalization grew from approximately $350 billion to $4 trillion, and annual revenue nearly quadrupled.
John Ternus has been with Apple since 2001. He was involved in the development of the company's products, including the iPhone, Mac, and iPad, and has led the hardware engineering direction since 2021.
Source: Apple
