Tim Cook Hands Apple Leadership to John Ternus After 15 Years as CEO
Business
Tim Cook has stepped down as Apple’s chief executive after nearly 15 years leading the company. Effective September 1, 2026, John Ternus, previously Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, became the company’s new CEO, while Cook transitioned to executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors.
Apple announced the leadership transition in April as part of a long-term succession plan unanimously approved by its board. During the transition period, Cook worked closely with Ternus to ensure an orderly handover. As executive chairman, Cook will remain involved in selected aspects of the company’s work, including engagement with policymakers around the world.
On August 31, his final day as CEO, Cook addressed the Apple community on X, thanking the company’s employees and broader community. He said that while his title was changing, his relationship with Apple and its community would remain unchanged.
Cook joined Apple in March 1998 as Senior Vice President for Worldwide Operations. In August 2011, he succeeded Apple co-founder Steve Jobs as CEO and went on to lead the company for the next 15 years.
Ternus has worked at Apple since 2001. He held a number of senior positions within the company’s hardware engineering organization, becoming vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013 and Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering in 2021.
The leadership change brings one of the longest CEO tenures in Apple’s history to a close. Ternus formally assumed the role on September 1, while Cook remains with Apple as executive chairman of its board of directors.
On August 31, his final day as CEO, Cook addressed the Apple community on X, thanking the company’s employees and broader community. He said that while his title was changing, his relationship with Apple and its community would remain unchanged.
Cook joined Apple in March 1998 as Senior Vice President for Worldwide Operations. In August 2011, he succeeded Apple co-founder Steve Jobs as CEO and went on to lead the company for the next 15 years.
Ternus has worked at Apple since 2001. He held a number of senior positions within the company’s hardware engineering organization, becoming vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013 and Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering in 2021.
The leadership change brings one of the longest CEO tenures in Apple’s history to a close. Ternus formally assumed the role on September 1, while Cook remains with Apple as executive chairman of its board of directors.
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