CUPERTINO — Apple has officially named John Ternus as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2026. In a planned succession that marks the end of an era, Tim Cook will step down from the top post to become the Executive Chairman of Apple’s board of directors.
Ternus, who currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will take the helm of the world’s most valuable company after a 25-year career within its ranks. Cook will work closely with Ternus over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition.
A Visionary Engineer Takes the Helm
Tim Cook praised his successor’s deep technical roots and leadership style. “John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity,” Cook stated. “He is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future.”
Ternus joined Apple’s product design team in 2001 and has been a central figure in the development of every generation of iPad, the latest iPhone lineups, and the transition of the Mac to Apple Silicon.
Board Reshuffle
The transition includes several other key moves within Apple’s leadership structure:
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Tim Cook: Moves to Executive Chairman, maintaining a strategic role in the company’s future.
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John Ternus: Appointed to the Board of Directors in addition to his CEO duties.
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Arthur Levinson: Apple’s non-executive chairman for the past 15 years will transition to the role of Lead Independent Director.
“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,” said John Ternus in a statement.
Under Cook’s 15-year leadership, Apple transformed from a consumer electronics giant into a global services and technology powerhouse. This transition signals a “product-first” strategy for the next decade, placing an engineering veteran at the center of Apple’s next chapter.
