Apple has announced a landmark leadership change, confirming that Tim Cook will relinquish the role of chief executive officer and transition to executive chairman, with John Ternus appointed as the company’s next CEO.
The changes take effect on 1 September 2026, following a long-term succession planning process that received unanimous approval from Apple’s board of directors. Cook will remain in his current position through the northern hemisphere summer, working alongside Ternus to ensure a seamless handover before moving into his new capacity as executive chairman.
Brandspur Brand News understands that Cook is expected to remain actively involved in the company following the transition, particularly in strategic direction and engagement with policymakers globally. Arthur Levinson, who has served as non-executive chairman for 15 years, will transition to the role of lead independent director, also effective 1 September 2026.
Ternus, who currently serves as senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will join Apple’s board when he assumes the CEO role. He has been with the company for more than two decades, having joined in 2001, and has played an instrumental role in developing Apple’s hardware portfolio across multiple product categories. His responsibilities have included overseeing engineering work on major products such as the iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch, as well as contributions to newer product categories and advances in materials, performance, and device durability. He joined Apple’s executive team in 2021.
The transition marks the end of Cook’s tenure as CEO, a position he has held since 2011 after succeeding Steve Jobs. During his leadership, Apple significantly expanded its global footprint and product ecosystem while evolving its business model beyond hardware into a more diversified mix that includes services and wearables. Under Cook’s direction, Apple introduced and scaled product categories including Apple Watch and AirPods, while growing its services segment to include platforms such as iCloud, Apple Pay, and Apple Music. The company expanded its presence across more than 200 countries and territories and increased its installed base to billions of active devices.
Financially, Apple experienced substantial growth during Cook’s tenure, with revenue increasing significantly and the company’s market value rising to among the highest globally. The business also placed increased focus on privacy, sustainability, and supply chain control, including the transition to its own silicon across its device lineup.
Ternus now takes over at a time when Apple is navigating a more complex global technology landscape marked by increasing competition, regulatory scrutiny, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence and hardware integration. His appointment signals continuity in Apple’s product-focused leadership approach, given his engineering background and long tenure within the company, while also marking a generational shift in its executive leadership.
