Apple’s Big Leadership Shift: Tim Cook, the long-serving chief executive of Apple, has announced that he will step down from his role. He said in a memo to staff that he felt it was the ‘right time’ to make the transition. Cook will not leave the company entirely. Instead, he will take on the role of executive chairman, meaning he will still be involved in guiding Apple’s future.
Who will replace Tim Cook as CEO?
John Ternus, currently Apple’s head of hardware engineering, will take over as CEO on September 1, 2026. Ternus has been responsible for overseeing the technology behind key Apple products such as the iPhone, iPad and Mac for the past five years. This experience is seen as a major reason why he has been chosen for the top job.
How long did Tim Cook serve as CEO?
Cook joined Apple in 1998 and became CEO in 2011. He has held the position for more than 15 years, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in the company’s history.
His move to executive chairman is similar to transitions made by Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Reed Hastings of Netflix after they stepped down as CEOs.
What did Tim Cook say about his time at Apple?
“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,” 65-year-old Tim Cook reportedly said in a statement.
“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 is John Ternus?
John Ternus, 50, is Apple’s chief of hardware engineering and has played a key role in developing the company’s major devices. His leadership in this area has made him a strong choice to lead the company as CEO. “I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,” Ternus said in a statement.
What changes are happening in Apple now?
Ternus will take over as CEO in September but has already begun stepping away from his current role. He told employees that Tom Marieb will take charge of hardware engineering.
“I will have more to say when I see you in person. For now, let me simply say thank you for everything you’ve done – and for everything I know you will do. We have such important work ahead of us, and I can’t imagine a more capable team,” John Ternus said in the memo, according to a Bloomberg report.