Tim Cook will become executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors on September 1, 2026. John Ternus will succeed him as chief executive officer.
Cook plans to remain in his role as CEO through the summer. He will work closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth transition.
Arthur Levinson will step in as Apple’s lead independent director on the same date. This leadership change marks a significant moment for Apple.
Ternus joined Apple’s product design team in 2001 and has played a crucial role in product development since then. He became vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013 and joined the executive team in 2021.
Under Cook’s leadership, which began in 2011, Apple’s market capitalization soared from approximately $350 billion to $4 trillion. During this time, yearly revenue jumped from $108 billion in fiscal year 2011 to over $416 billion in fiscal year 2025.
Cook expressed gratitude for his time at Apple, stating, “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.”
Ternus acknowledged the opportunity ahead, saying, “I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward.” His experience overseeing hardware engineering has been extensive—he has worked on groundbreaking products across every category.
Cook joined Apple in 1998 and took over as CEO in 2011. His tenure has been marked by innovation and expansion; Apple now operates over 500 retail stores worldwide.
Levinson praised Cook’s leadership, noting, “Tim’s unprecedented and outstanding leadership has transformed Apple into the world’s best company.”
As Cook transitions out of day-to-day operations, observers expect continued growth under Ternus’s leadership. Details remain unconfirmed about any further changes within Apple’s executive team.