NEWS
Historic Leadership Transition at Apple Inc. as Tim Cook to Become Executive Chairman, John Ternus Takes Over as CEO in Landmark Succession Plan
In a significant leadership shift set to shape the future of one of the world’s most influential technology companies, Apple Inc. has announced that Tim Cook will become executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors, while John Ternus, the company’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will assume the role of chief executive officer effective September 1, 2026.
The announcement, unanimously approved by the Board of Directors, marks the culmination of a carefully structured, long-term succession planning process aimed at ensuring continuity and sustained innovation at the tech giant.
Cook is expected to remain in his position as CEO through the summer months, working closely with Ternus to guarantee a seamless transition. In his new capacity as executive chairman, Cook will continue to play a strategic role in guiding the company, including engaging with policymakers across the globe on key issues affecting the technology sector.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company.
“I love Apple with all of my being, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a team of such ingenious, innovative, creative, and deeply caring people who have been unwavering in their dedication to enriching the lives of our customers and creating the best products and services in the world,” Cook stated, reflecting on his tenure
He further expressed strong confidence in his successor, noting, “John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with 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 his character, and I look forward to working closely with him on this transition and in my new role as executive chairman.”
Ternus, who has spent nearly his entire professional career at Apple, also shared his thoughts on the transition.
“I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward. Having spent almost my entire career at Apple, I have been lucky to have worked under Steve Jobs and to have had Tim Cook as my mentor. It has been a privilege to help shape the products and experiences that have changed so much of how we interact with the world and with one another.
I am filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come, and I am so happy to know that the most talented people on earth are here at Apple, determined to be part of something bigger than any one of us. I am humbled to step into this role, and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place for half a century.”
As part of the restructuring, Arthur Levinson, who has served as Apple’s non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will transition to the role of lead independent director, while Ternus will also join the company’s board effective the same date.
Levinson praised Cook’s legacy, stating, “Tim’s unprecedented and outstanding leadership has transformed Apple into the world’s best company. He’s introduced groundbreaking products and services time and again, and his integrity and values are infused into everything Apple does.”
He added, “On behalf of the entire board of directors, we are incredibly grateful for his countless contributions to Apple and the world, and we are thrilled he will now be executive chairman.
“We believe John is the best possible leader to succeed Tim and as he transitions to CEO we know his love of Apple, his leadership, deep technical knowledge, and relentless focus on creating great products will help lead Apple to an extraordinary future.”
Cook also acknowledged Levinson’s service, saying, “I want to thank Art for the incredible work he has done leading the board of directors for the past 15 years. I have always found his advice to be invaluable and I appreciate his thoughtfulness and his unwavering dedication to the company.
“I am grateful he will serve as our lead independent director, and I look forward to working with him in my new role.”
Having joined Apple in 1998, Cook rose to the position of CEO in 2011, succeeding the late Steve Jobs. His leadership has been marked by transformative growth and innovation, including the introduction of entirely new product categories such as Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro, alongside the expansion of services like iCloud, Apple Pay, Apple TV, and Apple Music.
Under Cook’s stewardship, Apple’s market capitalization surged from approximately $350 billion to an astonishing $4 trillion, an increase of over 1,000 percent, while annual revenue nearly quadrupled from $108 billion in 2011 to more than $416 billion in fiscal year 2025. The company’s global presence has also expanded significantly, now spanning more than 200 countries and territories.
Apple currently operates over 500 retail stores worldwide and has dramatically increased its workforce by more than 100,000 employees. Its active installed base has grown to over 2.5 billion devices, underscoring its deep integration into the daily lives of users globally.
A key pillar of Cook’s tenure has been the expansion of Apple’s services division into a business generating over $100 billion annually, comparable to a Fortune 40 company. He also played a pivotal role in the development of Apple’s wearables segment, which includes the world’s most popular smartwatch and headphones, contributing significantly to advancements in health and safety technologies.
Cook further championed Apple’s transition to in-house silicon, enhancing performance and energy efficiency across its devices, while reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainability, privacy, and accessibility.
Under his leadership, Apple reduced its carbon footprint by more than 60 percent compared to 2015 levels, even as its revenue nearly doubled. He has consistently advocated for privacy as a fundamental human right, embedding security and user protection into the core of Apple’s ecosystem.
As Apple enters this new chapter, the transition from Cook to Ternus signals both continuity and evolution, blending decades of experience with a renewed vision for the future of technology and innovation on a global scale.