Apple CEO Tim Cook has officially announced his resignation, set to take effect in September 2026, bringing to a close nearly 15 years at the helm of one of the world’s most valuable companies. The 65-year-old executive will transition into a newly created role as executive chairman, ensuring he remains connected to the company he helped build into a global powerhouse. His successor will be John Ternus, Apple’s current head of hardware engineering, who is 50 years old.
A Legacy That Redefined Corporate Success
Cook’s tenure at Apple stands as one of the most remarkable leadership runs in modern business history. Taking over from co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011, he guided the company through an era of explosive growth. Under his watch, Apple’s annual profit quadrupled to over $110 billion, and its market capitalisation surged more than tenfold, reaching an extraordinary $4 trillion. The sustained dominance of the iPhone proved to be the cornerstone of this unprecedented success.
A Seasoned Insider Ready to Lead
Ternus is far from a newcomer to Apple. Having joined the company back in 2001, he has spent over two decades overseeing hardware engineering across Apple’s most iconic product lines, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This deep institutional knowledge makes him a natural choice to carry Cook’s legacy forward. With five months remaining before the formal handover in September, Ternus has ample runway to prepare for one of the most high-profile leadership roles in the global technology industry.
The transition marks a significant new chapter for Apple as it navigates an increasingly competitive tech landscape.