John Ternus Named Apple CEO, Tim Cook Becomes Executive Chairman
Original: John Ternus to become Apple CEO
Why This Matters
Marks the most significant leadership change at Apple since Cook succeeded Jobs in 2011
Apple announced John Ternus, SVP of Hardware Engineering, will become CEO on September 1, 2026, while Tim Cook transitions to executive chairman. The Board unanimously approved the succession plan after a long-term planning process.
Apple announced a major leadership transition with John Ternus, senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, becoming CEO effective September 1, 2026. Tim Cook will transition to executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. The change was unanimously approved by the Board following extensive succession planning. Cook praised Ternus as having 'the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator' and called him the right person to lead Apple's future. Ternus, who has spent 25 years at Apple working under Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and promised to lead with Apple's defining values. Arthur Levinson will become lead independent director while Ternus joins the board.