Apple on Monday named insider John Ternus as its next CEO, elevating the long-time hardware chief to lead the company as it prepares for industry shifts driven by artificial intelligence. Ternus, currently Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will also join Apple’s board of directors upon taking over. Meanwhile, Arthur Levinson will become lead independent director.
“Cook will continue in his role as CEO through the summer as he works closely with Ternus on a smooth transition,” Apple said in a press release. The company confirmed that the board approved the appointment on Friday.
At 50, Ternus is the same age Cook was when he assumed the CEO role from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001 and has long been a low-profile yet consistent force behind the company’s product improvements, has been instrumental in reviving sales of devices like Apple’s Mac computers, which have been gaining market share against traditional PCs.
This represents Apple’s first change in chief executive since Tim Cook took over from Steve Jobs in 2011, with Tim Cook set to move into the role of executive chairman from September 1. Ternus will serve as the company’s eighth CEO.Most recently, Ternus introduced the company’s iPhone Air last autumn, marking the most significant overhaul of the iPhone since 2017 and serving as an important testing ground for several new chips.
John Ternus may not be a widely visible figure outside Apple, but internally he has played a key role in shaping some of the company’s most successful modern products. Now, as he prepares to take over as CEO, he steps into leadership at a time when Apple faces intense competition and rapid disruption driven by artificial intelligence.
Key highlights of Ternus’s track record:
Instrumental in developing widely used products like the iPad and AirPods
Helped define Apple’s “Pro” strategy, launching high-end Mac and iPhone models with advanced features and premium pricing
Expanded Apple’s product range with more affordable offerings such as MacBook Neo and iPhone “e” models
Known for strengthening product segmentation across Apple’s hardware lineup
Now tasked with steering Apple through a major AI-driven transformation in the tech industry
