Meet John Ternus: Apple’s New CEO Replacing Tim Cook

John Ternus has been appointed as the CEO of Apple, taking over from Tim Cook in a leadership transition that signals the tech giant’s next phase of innovation.

John will assume leadership of the company on 1 September 2026, bringing more than 25 years of Apple experience to the role.

He currently serves as Head of Hardware Engineering, a position that has seen him oversee the development of numerous product lines integrating advanced technologies. 

Many of these products are powered by on-device machine learning, supported by Apple silicon and Neural Engine technology designed for efficient AI processing.

Following 15 years as Apple’s CEO, beginning in 2011, Tim succeeded co-founder Steve Jobs and will now transition to the role of Executive Chairman.

Through this position, Tim will focus on specific aspects of the business while maintaining engagement with policymakers across the globe.

Working closely throughout the summer, the pair is expecting to facilitate a smooth transition into their new roles.

Apple’s technological transformation under Tim Cook

Since joining Apple in 1998, Tim has guided the company through sustained growth.

The company’s market cap has surged more than 20-fold during his tenure. 

Alongside this growth, Apple has steadily expanded its use of AI across services and devices, including features such as Siri, Live Text and intelligent photo organisation.

After becoming the first public company to reach a US$1tn valuation, it took less than eight years for the business to quadruple that figure, reaching the US$4tn mark.

Expanding to operate in over 200 countries, with more than 500 retail stores, Apple has 2.5 billion active devices globally.

Under Tim’s leadership, the workforce has grown by 100,000 people.

Tim expressed 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 says 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.”

Tim says that his successor, 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 that John is “without question the right person to lead Apple into the future”.

Engineering leadership meets AI innovation

After serving as a long term Apple employee, John joined the company“s executive team in 2021 as Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering.

In his 25 long years at Apple, John has overseen hardware engineering work across various products, spanning the introduction of multiple new product lines, including the iPad and AirPods, as well as numerous generations of iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch.

These devices increasingly integrate AI capabilities through Apple Intelligence, enabling features such as writing assistance, summarisation and enhanced voice interaction.

In the company press release, John expressed that he is “profoundly grateful” for the opportunity to “carry Apple“s mission forward,” having spent nearly 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 says.

“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 helped define Apple’s most recent era of innovation.

By leading the Mac division, John helped the category become more powerful and more popular globally than at any point in its 40-year history.

John also helped drive the evolution of AirPods into advanced in-ear devices by integrating active noise cancellation with a hearing health system that enables the devices to function as over-the-counter hearing aids. 

AI techniques also support features such as adaptive audio and voice isolation across Apple's audio products.

“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 adds.

“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."