Apple has announced a major leadership transition, naming John Ternus as its next Chief Executive Officer, while current CEO Tim Cook will become Executive Chairman from September 1, 2026.
The move marks the first change at the top of Apple since 2011, when Cook succeeded company co-founder Steve Jobs. After leading the tech giant for 15 years, Cook will remain closely involved in guiding Apple’s long-term direction in his new role.
During Cook’s tenure, Apple grew into one of the world’s most valuable companies. Under his leadership, the company expanded far beyond the iPhone, building successful businesses in wearables and digital services. Products such as the Apple Watch and AirPods became major growth drivers, while Apple’s services business also expanded rapidly.
Ternus, who currently heads Apple’s hardware engineering division, has been with the company for about 25 years. He has played a central role in the development of many of Apple’s flagship products, including the iPhone, iPad and Mac.
He was also deeply involved in Apple’s transition to its own custom-designed chips for Mac computers, a move widely seen as one of the company’s most successful strategic decisions in recent years.
Industry analysts view Ternus as a steady and experienced executive with strong technical expertise. His appointment suggests Apple wants to place product innovation and engineering at the centre of its next growth phase.
The leadership change comes at an important time for the company. Apple is facing increasing pressure to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence, as rivals continue to invest heavily in AI-powered products and services.
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