Apple’s CEO John Ternus to Lead With Integrity and Honour

John Ternus has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Apple, succeeding Tim Cook.

John will assume leadership of the technology giant on September 1, 2026, after more than 25 years with the company. He currently holds the position of Head of Hardware Engineering, marking a considered succession at the top.

After 15 years as Apple’s CEO – having taken the reins from Co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011 – Tim will transition to the Executive Chairman role.

In this capacity, Tim will focus on select aspects of the business while remaining engaged with policymakers around the world.

The pair will work closely together through the summer to ensure a smooth transition into their new roles.

Who is John Ternus?

A long-serving Apple leader, John joined the company’s executive team in 2021 as Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering.

Across his quarter-century at Apple, he has overseen hardware engineering for a broad portfolio, guiding the introduction of new product lines – including iPad and AirPods – alongside many generations of iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch.

In the company’s press release, John said he is "profoundly grateful" for the opportunity to "carry Apple’s mission forward," having spent "almost" his entire career at the company.

"I have been lucky to have worked under Steve Jobs and to have had Tim Cook as my mentor," he noted. "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."

John has been credited with leading hardware breakthroughs that have defined Apple’s recent era of innovation. By steering the Mac division, he helped the category become "more powerful and more popular globally than at any time in its 40-year history."

He also helped drive the evolution of AirPods into the in-ear headphones they are today by pairing active noise cancellation with a hearing health system that enables the devices to function as over-the-counter hearing aids.

"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," John said. "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."

How will John continue to lead Apple to success?

Since joining Apple in 1998, Tim has guided the company through a sustained period of disciplined growth.

Apple’s market cap has increased more than twenty-fold during Tim’s tenure. After becoming the first public company to reach a $1 trillion (£740bn) valuation, the company quadrupled that figure in less than eight years, surpassing $4 trillion.

The business now operates in more than 200 countries, with over 500 retail stores and 2.5 billion active devices worldwide. Under Tim’s leadership, Apple’s headcount has expanded by approximately 100,000 people.

Tim said that being “trusted to lead such an extraordinary company” has been “the greatest privilege” of his life.

“I love Apple with all of my being,” he said in the company’s press release. “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.”

Looking to the future, he added that John “has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honour.”

As a result, he believes John is “without question the right person to lead Apple into the future.”