Apple announced on April 20 that Tim Cook will step down as chief executive officer on September 1, 2026, ending a 15-year tenure that transformed the company into a $4 trillion technology giant. Cook will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of Apple’s Board of Directors, where he will continue to support company initiatives including engagement with policymakers globally.
John Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering and a 25-year company veteran, has been named as Cook’s successor. Ternus will become Apple’s eighth chief executive and will also join the board of directors upon assuming the role. In a related move, Johny Srouji, previously Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, will take on an expanded role as Chief Hardware Officer, succeeding Ternus in overseeing hardware engineering.
Cook, 65, took over from co-founder Steve Jobs in August 2011, just weeks before Jobs’ passing. Under his leadership, Apple grew from a company worth hundreds of billions of dollars into one with products used by more than 2.5 billion people worldwide. The succession was described as a long-planned transition and was approved unanimously by Apple’s board.
Cook will remain in the CEO role through the summer, working closely alongside Ternus to ensure a smooth handover. Arthur Levinson, Apple’s current non-executive chairman, is set to become the lead independent director when the transition takes effect.
The leadership change marks the first time in Apple’s modern history that the company has publicly announced a planned CEO succession well in advance of the transition date, signaling confidence in the continuity of its strategic direction.
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