New Delhi: Apple Inc. has made a significant change in leadership, as CEO Tim Cook will become the new executive chairman and John Ternus will become the new chief executive officer starting September 1, 2026. The move, which was unanimously passed by the board, is one of the biggest reforms at Apple since the board appointed Cook to replace Steve Jobs in 2011.
Cook will continue as CEO until the summer, when he will collaborate closely with Ternus to make a successful transition. Being the executive chairman will still keep him strategic, especially in global policy participation. “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple,” Cook said in an official company statement, expressing confidence in Ternus as the company’s future leader.
Leadership transition backed by long-term planning
Apple claimed the exercise is a well-thought-out succession strategy. Ternus, who is the current senior vice president of hardware engineering, will also join the board of directors on the same date.
Cook said that John is an engineer with the heart of a leader, and his decades-long service to Apple has driven innovation through the company. Ternus, who has spent almost all his life in Apple, described the opportunity as profound and admitted that he was mentored by both Cook and Jobs.
Boardroom changes and new roles
During the CEO change, Arthur D. Levinson will commence his departure as non-executive chairman, having served 15 years, and become lead independent director. Levinson praised Cook’s tenure, saying his leadership transformed Apple into “the world’s best company”.
In his turn, Cook gave Levinson a thank-you note, stressing the role continuity plays in Apple leadership hierarchy.
Tim Cook’s legacy: Growth, innovation and values
Cook has witnessed a radical change in Apple since he took over in 2011. During his reign, the market value of the company rose by approximately 350 billion to almost 4 trillion, and the annual revenue increased to above 416 billion in fiscal 2025.
Apple has ventured into new products such as wearables with Apple Watch and AirPods and services such as iCloud, Apple Pay, and Apple Music. The company also switched to their own silicon chip, enhancing the performance and efficiency of devices.
Cook was also the leader of Apple environmental and privacy initiatives. The company reduced its carbon footprint dramatically and made its position on the protection of user data more solid, making privacy one of its fundamental principles.
Who is John Ternus? Apple’s next CEO explained
Ternus started working at Apple in 2001, and he began ascending the ladder of the hardware engineering team. In 2013, he joined the executive team and became the vice president in 2021.
He has been instrumental in creating some of the biggest products in the iPhone, Mac, iPad and AirPods. His leadership made it possible to advance in terms of durability, materials, and sustainability, such as using recycled aluminium and innovative manufacturing methods.
Ternus also spearheaded engineering work on recent flagship products, such as the most recent iPhone models and new-generation Macs, which enhanced the worldwide product appeal of Apple.
What this means for Apple’s future
The transition is an indication of continuity and not disruption. Apple is placing a bet on an internal leader who has strong technical skills and experience in the company.
As Cook remains in the company as executive chairman, the company remains stable as it prepares to enter its next innovation era. With Apple entering a new era, everyone will be watching how Ternus will mould the strategy of the company in a more competitive tech environment.