• Leadership continuity at one of the world’s most valuable companies, with a long-planned succession shaping governance stability
• Transition reinforces Apple’s strategy across hardware, services, and sustainability, with carbon footprint already reduced more than 60% since 2015
• New CEO brings deep engineering and product leadership as Apple navigates global regulatory pressure, supply chains, and climate commitments

Apple has confirmed a major leadership transition that will reshape governance at the world’s most valuable technology company. From September 1, 2026, Tim Cook will step into the role of executive chairman, while John Ternus, currently senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will become chief executive officer.

The decision, unanimously approved by the board, follows a long-term succession plan aimed at preserving strategic continuity while introducing a new operational leader. Cook will remain CEO through the summer, working closely with Ternus to manage the transition before shifting focus to board leadership and global policy engagement.

“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. I love Apple with all of my being, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a team of such ingenious, innovative, creative, and deeply caring people who have been unwavering in their dedication to enriching the lives of our customers and creating the best products and services in the world,” said Cook.

“John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor. He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future. I could not be more confident in his abilities and his character, and I look forward to working closely with him on this transition and in my new role as executive chairman.”

Governance Structure Evolves

As part of the shift, Arthur Levinson will move from non-executive chairman to lead independent director. Ternus will also join Apple’s board, consolidating leadership between management and governance.

“Tim’s unprecedented and outstanding leadership has transformed Apple into the world’s best company. He’s introduced groundbreaking products and services time and again, and his integrity and values are infused into everything Apple does,” said Levinson.

“On behalf of the entire board of directors, we are incredibly grateful for his countless contributions to Apple and the world, and we are thrilled he will now be executive chairman. We believe John is the best possible leader to succeed Tim and as he transitions to CEO we know his love of Apple, his leadership, deep technical knowledge, and relentless focus on creating great products will help lead Apple to an extraordinary future.”

Cook added: “I want to thank Art for the incredible work he has done leading the board of directors for the past 15 years. I have always found his advice to be invaluable and I appreciate his thoughtfulness and his unwavering dedication to the company. I am grateful he will serve as our lead independent director, and I look forward to working with him in my new role.”

A Record of Scale and Sustainability

Cook’s tenure has been defined by both financial expansion and a growing focus on environmental and social governance. Since becoming CEO in 2011, Apple’s market value has grown from roughly $350 billion to $4 trillion, while annual revenue has increased from $108 billion to more than $416 billion.

At the same time, Apple has expanded into more than 200 countries and territories, built a retail network of over 500 stores, and grown its active device base to more than 2.5 billion.

Sustainability has become central to the company’s operating model. Under Cook, Apple reduced its carbon footprint by more than 60 percent compared to 2015 levels, even as revenue nearly doubled. The company has also embedded privacy, accessibility, and supply chain standards into product design and governance decisions, placing ESG considerations closer to core strategy rather than as a parallel function.

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Engineering Leadership Moves to the Fore

Ternus steps into the CEO role with more than two decades inside Apple’s product and engineering ecosystem. Having joined in 2001, he has led hardware development across major product categories, including iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch.

“I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,” said Ternus. “Having spent almost my entire career at Apple, I have been lucky to have worked under Steve Jobs and to have had Tim Cook as my mentor. It has been a privilege to help shape the products and experiences that have changed so much of how we interact with the world and with one another. I am filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come, and I am so happy to know that the most talented people on earth are here at Apple, determined to be part of something bigger than any one of us. I am humbled to step into this role, and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place for half a century.”

His track record includes advancing Apple-designed silicon, improving product durability, and integrating recycled materials such as new aluminum compounds and 3-D printed titanium components. These efforts have contributed to reducing product-level emissions and extending device lifespans, both critical levers in Apple’s climate strategy.

What This Means for Executives and Investors

For global investors and C-suite leaders, the transition signals continuity rather than disruption. Apple is maintaining its strategic direction across hardware innovation, services growth, and sustainability commitments, while elevating engineering leadership to the top role.

Cook’s move to executive chairman also carries policy implications. His continued involvement in global regulatory engagement comes at a time when technology companies face increasing scrutiny on data governance, supply chains, and environmental impact.

The leadership structure positions Apple to balance innovation with governance oversight as regulatory frameworks tighten across the US, Europe, and Asia.

With Ternus at the helm, Apple enters its next phase with a leader shaped by product engineering and long-term internal culture, reinforcing a model of succession that prioritizes continuity, operational depth, and alignment with evolving ESG expectations.

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