Apple Inc. has announced that John Ternus will become its next chief executive officer on September 1, marking a major leadership transition at one of the world’s most valuable companies.
The company disclosed on Monday that current CEO Tim Cook will step into the role of executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors on the same date. Cook is expected to remain in his current position through the summer, working closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.
According to Apple, the decision was unanimously approved by its board and follows a long-term succession planning process designed to maintain stability and continuity in leadership.
Ternus, who currently serves as Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, has spent approximately 25 years at the company. Apple said he will also join the board of directors when he officially assumes the CEO role in September.
The transition marks Apple’s first change in chief executive leadership since 2011, when Tim Cook succeeded co-founder Steve Jobs following Jobs’ resignation due to health reasons.
In addition to the CEO transition, Apple announced that Arthur Levinson, who has served as non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will take on the position of lead independent director starting September 1.
The company also revealed a key restructuring within its hardware division. Johny Srouji has been appointed as chief hardware officer with immediate effect, assuming oversight of the hardware organization previously led by Ternus.
Industry analysts view the leadership reshuffle as a significant moment for Apple, reflecting both continuity and evolution within its executive ranks. Ternus is widely regarded as a central figure in Apple’s hardware innovation, having played a leading role in the development of flagship products including the iPhone and Mac.
Cook’s move to executive chairman is expected to keep him closely involved in the company’s strategic direction while allowing a new generation of leadership to take operational control.
The announcement has already drawn attention across the technology sector, with observers noting that Apple’s carefully managed succession plan could serve as a model for leadership transitions in major global corporations.
As September approaches, focus will shift to how Ternus shapes Apple’s future direction, particularly in areas such as hardware innovation, artificial intelligence, and ecosystem expansion, while maintaining the company’s strong market position built over decades.
