Apple has announced that Tim Cook will become executive chairman of its board, while John Ternus has been appointed as the company’s next chief executive officer, effective September 1, 2026. The board has unanimously approved the transition following a long-term succession planning process.
Cook has continued to serve as CEO through the summer and has worked closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth transition. In his new role, he has been expected to engage with policymakers and support key aspects of the company’s operations.
Arthur Levinson has transitioned from non-executive chairman to lead independent director, effective the same date, while Ternus has joined the board of directors.
Cook has been leading Apple since 2011, during which the company has expanded its product and services portfolio. Under his leadership, Apple has grown its market capitalisation from approximately $350 billion to $4 trillion and has nearly quadrupled its annual revenue. The company has also expanded its presence to more than 200 countries and territories and has increased its active device base to over 2.5 billion.
Apple’s services business has crossed $100 billion under Cook’s tenure, while the company has introduced product categories such as Apple Watch, AirPods and Apple Vision Pro. It has also transitioned to Apple-designed silicon and expanded its retail footprint to over 500 stores globally.
Ternus has been with Apple since 2001 and has led hardware engineering across multiple product categories. He has overseen work on products including iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch, and has contributed to the development of newer product lines and hardware innovations. He has also led initiatives focused on durability, materials innovation, and sustainability across Apple’s product ecosystem.
Tim Cook: “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. 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 have been unwavering in their dedication to enriching the lives of our customers and creating the best products and services in the world. John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor. He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future. I could not be more confident in his abilities and his character, and I look forward to working closely with him on this transition and in my new role as executive chairman.”
John Ternus: “I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward. Having spent almost my entire career at Apple, I have been lucky to have worked under Steve Jobs and to have had Tim Cook as my mentor. It has been a privilege to help shape the products and experiences that have changed so much of how we interact with the world and with one another. I am filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come, and I am so happy to know that the most talented people on earth are here at Apple, determined to be part of something bigger than any one of us. I am humbled to step into this role, and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place for half a century.”
Arthur Levinson: “Tim’s unprecedented and outstanding leadership has transformed Apple into the world’s best company. He’s introduced groundbreaking products and services time and again, and his integrity and values are infused into everything Apple does. On behalf of the entire board of directors, we are incredibly grateful for his countless contributions to Apple and the world, and we are thrilled he will now be executive chairman. We believe John is the best possible leader to succeed Tim and as he transitions to CEO we know his love of Apple, his leadership, deep technical knowledge, and relentless focus on creating great products will help lead Apple to an extraordinary future.”
Tim Cook: “I want to thank Art for the incredible work he has done leading the board of directors for the past 15 years. I have always found his advice to be invaluable and I appreciate his thoughtfulness and his unwavering dedication to the company. I am grateful he will serve as our lead independent director, and I look forward to working with him in my new role.”
