John Ternus to become Apple CEO
After 15 years, Tim Cook steps down as CEO, passing the reins to hardware engineering chief John Ternus.
Apple has initiated a historic leadership change, with CEO Tim Cook transitioning to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors on September 1, 2026. Cook, who has led the company since 2011, will be succeeded by John Ternus, Apple's current Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering. The Board of Directors unanimously approved the transition, which is the result of a long-term succession planning process. Cook will remain as CEO through the summer to ensure a smooth handover. In his new role as Executive Chairman, Cook will focus on high-level company aspects, including global policy engagement.
John Ternus is a 25-year Apple veteran who has been instrumental in hardware development, having worked under both Steve Jobs and Tim Cook. He will also join Apple's Board of Directors. Concurrently, Arthur Levinson, the long-serving Non-Executive Chairman, will become Lead Independent Director. Cook's tenure saw Apple's market cap soar from $350 billion to $4 trillion and revenue nearly quadruple, driven by new product categories like Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro. The leadership shift marks a new chapter for the tech giant, placing a seasoned hardware innovator at the helm.
- Tim Cook transitions from CEO to Executive Chairman of Apple's Board on September 1, 2026.
- John Ternus, SVP of Hardware Engineering and a 25-year Apple veteran, is named the new CEO.
- Under Cook's 15-year leadership, Apple's market cap grew over 1000% to $4 trillion.
Why It Matters
This planned succession places a hardware engineering visionary at the helm of the world's most valuable company, signaling a potential renewed focus on core product innovation.