A New Leader at Apple
Apple has officially transitioned its chief executive role from Tim Cook to John Ternus, effective September 1. The handover, reflected on Apple’s updated leadership page, sees Ternus take on the CEO title while Cook moves to the board of directors section in his new role as executive chairman. The change marks the company’s most significant leadership shift in nearly 15 years, coming after Cook led Apple since succeeding Steve Jobs in August 2011.
Cook, who has been with Apple for over two decades, shared an emotional message on X ahead of the transition, saying that while his title was about to change, his affection for the Apple community would remain unchanged. He will continue with the company as executive chairman and is expected to remain involved in selected areas of the business, including engaging with policymakers globally.
Who Is John Ternus?
John Ternus, who has succeeded Cook as Apple CEO, previously served as the company’s senior vice-president of hardware engineering. Having joined Apple in 2001, Ternus has spent years working on some of its most important products, including Macs, iPads and AirPods. He was also involved in the development of newer devices such as the iPhone Air and is credited with helping shape much of Apple’s hardware strategy.
Ternus played an important role in overseeing hardware categories that account for a major share of Apple’s revenue. He has been associated with efforts to revive the Mac business, strengthen the company’s premium Pro lineup and guide the transition from Intel processors to Apple’s in-house M-series chips. His public appearances at product launches, such as the iPhone Air unveiling and the MacBook Neo event, have made him a recognizable figure within the company’s product presentations.
Strategic Shift and Upcoming Event
Ternus’ rise to the top job is expected to herald a shift in company strategy, with a more product-oriented vision compared to Cook’s operational expertise. However, these changes are expected to take time to materialize. His first public-facing role as CEO will be to introduce the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra lineup at the company’s fall media event, scheduled for September 9. Apple is also likely to introduce its first foldable iPhone at that event, according to reports.
Cook’s Legacy and Apple’s Growth
During Cook’s leadership, Apple expanded beyond its traditional lineup with products such as the Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod and Vision Pro, while its services business also grew through platforms including Apple Music and Apple TV. The company’s value increased dramatically during this period, rising from around $350 billion when Cook became CEO in 2011 to more than $4.5 trillion today, highlighting the scale of Apple’s growth under his leadership.
Board Changes
Apple has also updated its leadership page to include profile headshots for its board of directors, a change that coincided with Cook’s move to the board. The board now consists of Tim Cook, Arthur Levinson, Wanda Austin, Alex Gorsky, Andrea Jung, Monica Lozano, Ron Sugar, Sue Wagner, and John Ternus, who gets a board seat as CEO.