Tetouan – Apple Inc. has announced a major leadership transition, naming John Ternus as its next chief executive officer, effective September 1.
Tim Cook will step down after nearly 15 years as CEO to become executive chairman of the board, marking a new chapter in the company’s leadership.
The transition, unanimously approved by the board of directors, follows a long-planned succession process aimed at ensuring continuity at the world’s most valuable technology company.
Cook will remain in his position through the summer, working closely with Ternus to oversee a smooth handover.
In his new role, he is expected to focus on broader strategic matters, including engagement with global policymakers.
Ternus, currently senior vice president of hardware engineering, has spent more than two decades at Apple and is widely regarded as one of the key figures behind its product innovation.
He joined the company in 2001 and has played a central role in the development of flagship products across the iPhone, Mac, iPad, and wearables product lines.
His appointment signals a continuation of Apple’s tradition of promoting leadership from within, with a strong emphasis on engineering expertise and product development.
Ternus has led major hardware initiatives in recent years, contributing to advances in performance, design, and sustainability across Apple’s ecosystem.
In statements accompanying the announcement, Cook expressed confidence in his successor, describing Ternus as a leader with deep technical knowledge and a strong sense of responsibility.
Ternus, for his part, said he was honored to take on the role and committed to advancing Apple’s long-standing focus on innovation and user experience.
The leadership reshuffle will also see Arthur Levinson transition from non-executive chairman to lead independent director, while Ternus will join the company’s board.
Cook’s tenure as CEO has been defined by significant expansion in both scale and scope.
Since taking the helm in 2011, he has overseen the launch of new product categories and a rapid growth in services, while steering Apple’s global expansion and reinforcing its focus on privacy, sustainability, and accessibility.
As Ternus prepares to assume leadership, the transition is expected to maintain strategic continuity while positioning Apple for its next phase of technological development.