Tim Cook will become Executive Chairman of Apple’s board of directors on September 1, 2026. John Ternus will succeed him as Chief Executive Officer on the same day.
Cook plans to remain CEO through the summer. He will work closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Cook joined Apple in 1998 and became CEO in 2011. Under his leadership, Apple’s market capitalization soared from approximately $350 billion to $4 trillion.
During his tenure, Apple’s yearly revenue increased significantly—from $108 billion in fiscal year 2011 to more than $416 billion in fiscal year 2025. The company also expanded its workforce by about 100,000 employees. This growth reflects Cook’s commitment to innovation and product development.
John Ternus joined Apple’s product design team in 2001. He became vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013, overseeing engineering work on groundbreaking products across every category. Ternus has been integral to Apple’s success and will join the board of directors effective September 1, 2026.
Arthur Levinson will take over as Apple’s lead independent director on the same date. He has served as Apple’s non-executive chairman for 15 years. Levinson praised Cook’s leadership, stating, “Tim’s unprecedented and outstanding leadership has transformed Apple into the world’s best company.”
Cook expressed gratitude for his time at Apple, saying, “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.” His focus on core values has shaped Apple’s decision-making processes.
Ternus shared his excitement about stepping into this new role: “I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward.” Observers expect Ternus to maintain the innovative spirit that defines Apple while steering the company into its next chapter.
