Tim Cook Will Move Into Executive Chairman Role
Cook’s planned transition would end his tenure as Apple CEO, a position he has held since 2011.
Apple said Cook will assist with certain aspects of the business as executive chairman. The company specifically identified engagement with policymakers around the world as one of those responsibilities.
Cook will remain CEO through the summer and work closely with Ternus on the transition, according to Apple.
The change does not mean Cook is leaving Apple. Instead, he will remain involved with the company in a different leadership capacity.
John Ternus Brings Hardware Experience to the CEO Role
Ternus is set to take the CEO position after serving as Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering.
During his time in that role, he has led hardware engineering teams responsible for a wide range of Apple products.
His work has included product development across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and AirPods.
Ternus joined Apple in 2001 as part of the Product Design team and became a vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013. He joined the executive team in 2021 as senior vice president of Hardware Engineering.
A Long Career Inside Apple
Ternus has spent about 25 years at Apple, giving him extensive experience with the company’s product-development process.
His responsibilities have covered multiple generations of Apple’s major hardware products.
Apple has highlighted his work on product reliability and durability, as well as materials and hardware design.
His background includes work on a recycled aluminum compound used across multiple product lines, 3-D printed titanium in Apple Watch Ultra 3 and repairability innovations intended to extend the lifespan of several Apple products.
Apple’s Board Approved the Succession
Apple’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the planned leadership transition.
Under the arrangement, Ternus will join Apple’s Board of Directors effective September 1.
Arthur Levinson, who has served as Apple’s non-executive chairman for 15 years, will become the company’s lead independent director on the same date.
The changes would establish a new leadership structure while retaining continuity at the board level.
What Changes for Apple?
The planned transition would put a longtime Apple hardware executive in charge of the company’s day-to-day operations.
Ternus has spent much of his career working directly on Apple products and engineering teams. The CEO role would give him responsibility for the company as a whole, extending beyond hardware development.
Apple’s announcement did not describe the transition as a change in its overall corporate strategy. Instead, the company presented Ternus as a leader with technical knowledge, product experience and a long history within Apple.
Cook’s Role Will Include Policy Engagement
Apple said Cook will assist with selected areas of the company as executive chairman.
One specifically identified responsibility is engagement with policymakers around the world.
That role would allow Cook to remain involved in external relationships while Ternus takes responsibility for leading Apple as CEO.
The arrangement would also provide continuity during the change in Apple’s top executive position.
Ternus Prepares for Apple’s Next Chapter
The incoming CEO will take responsibility for one of the world’s largest technology companies after years working on its major hardware products.
His experience gives him a detailed understanding of Apple’s product-development operations and engineering organization.
At the same time, moving from hardware leadership to the CEO position would represent a significant expansion of his responsibilities.
Apple said Ternus will lead the company while Cook continues to contribute as executive chairman.
What Happens to Apple’s Leadership Team?
The announced CEO transition does not identify changes across Apple’s wider executive team.
Apple’s announcement focuses on the CEO role, Cook’s move to executive chairman, Levinson’s planned role as lead independent director and Ternus’s addition to the board.
Ternus’s appointment would therefore be a change at the top of the company’s leadership structure.
Bottom Line
Apple has announced that John Ternus will become CEO on September 1, 2026, succeeding Tim Cook.
Cook will become executive chairman and assist with selected areas, including engagement with policymakers.
Ternus brings roughly 25 years of experience at Apple and a background leading hardware engineering across major product categories. The transition is intended to maintain continuity through Cook’s continued involvement.
