After more than a decade at the top, Tim Cook has stepped down as CEO of Apple, handing the leadership of the technology giant to John Ternus, Apple’s former Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering.
Effective September 1, Cook moves into the role of Executive Chairman, marking a transition in Apple’s leadership while keeping him closely connected to the company he has led since 2011.
Cook took over as Apple CEO in 2011, after previously serving as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure, Apple expanded across products, services and global markets, while continuing to build on its position as one of the world’s most influential technology companies.
Announcing the transition, Cook reflected on his final day as CEO, writing, “Sending lots of love to the Apple community on my last day as CEO. My title changes tomorrow, but the love I have for the Apple community never will. Thank you for being a constant source of inspiration. My gratitude is endless, and I’m excited for the next chapter!”
Taking over is Ternus, who has spent the past 25 years at Apple and has led the company’s hardware engineering teams behind products including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods and Apple Vision Pro.
Ternus joined Apple after working as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems and rose through the company’s hardware organisation before being named Cook’s successor.
Cook had announced his decision to step down in April, calling the CEO position “the best job in the world” while highlighting Ternus’ experience and approach to product development.
At the time, Cook said, “A new person will be stepping into what I know in my heart is the best job in the world. That leader is John Ternus, a brilliant engineer and thinker who has spent the past 25 years building the Apple products our users love so much, obsessed with every detail, focused on every possible way we can make something better, bolder, more beautiful, and more meaningful.”
With Ternus now taking charge and Cook moving to the executive chairman role, Apple enters a new leadership chapter while retaining continuity at the top of its product organisation.
