Global tech giant, Apple Inc. has appointed John Ternus as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2026, marking a major leadership transition at the $4 trillion company.
According to Apple, Ternus will succeed Tim Cook, who will move into the role of executive chairman following a unanimous board decision as part of a long-term succession plan; Cook will remain in his current position through the summer, working closely with Ternus to ensure a seamless handover.
Since joining Apple’s product design team in 2001, Ternus has steadily climbed the ranks, becoming vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013 before joining the executive team in 2021 as senior vice president.
Over more than two decades, he has overseen hardware development across nearly every major Apple product category, playing a pivotal role in launching new products such as the iPad and AirPods, while shaping multiple generations of the iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch.
His influence is especially evident in the Mac lineup, where his leadership has driven renewed performance gains and global demand, including newer devices like the MacBook Neo designed to improve accessibility. Ternus has also led engineering efforts behind Apple’s latest iPhone lineup, including the iPhone 17 series, alongside major upgrades to AirPods, advancing features such as industry-leading noise cancellation and hearing health capabilities.
Beyond product innovation, he has championed durability and reliability through improved engineering techniques, while also advancing sustainability initiatives such as the use of recycled aluminium, 3D-printed titanium in newer Apple Watch models, and enhanced repairability to extend product lifecycles.
Before joining Apple, Ternus worked as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems. Tim Cook’s transition marks the end of a defining era at Apple, having served as CEO since 2011 after succeeding Steve Jobs. During his tenure, he transformed the company into a $4 trillion powerhouse, growing revenue from just over $100 billion to more than $416 billion by 2025.
He reshaped Apple’s business model by expanding its services division into a $100 billion segment, while introducing new product categories such as the Apple Watch and AirPods.
His leadership also emphasised privacy, ambitious environmental goals that significantly reduced Apple’s carbon footprint, and global expansion into more than 200 countries and territories. As executive chairman, Cook is expected to continue shaping Apple’s long-term strategy and policy direction.
He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, providing a strong technical foundation for his leadership.