Apple has quietly intensified CEO succession planning efforts, with Tim Cook potentially stepping down as early as next year after more than a decade leading the world’s most valuable company, according to a Financial Times report.
Tim Cook’s Tenure
Tim Cook, who turned 65 this month, took over from Steve Jobs in 2011 and transformed Apple into a $4 trillion company. Under his leadership, Apple expanded its product line while turning services and wearables into major revenue engines. When he assumed the role in 2011, Apple was valued at approximately $350 billion—more than ten times less than today.
Frontrunner Identified
John Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Cook. Ternus joined Apple in 2001 as part of its Product Design team the same year the first iPod launched.
John Ternus‘ Role
As Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, Ternus oversees iPhones, iPads, Macs, AirPods, and Apple silicon. According to Apple, “John leads all hardware engineering, including the teams behind iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, and more.”
Over the years, he has guided every iPad generation’s development, helped usher in Apple’s custom chip revolution, and played a key role in transitioning the Mac line to Apple’s in-house silicon—a move widely praised for boosting performance and efficiency.
Professional Background
Before joining Apple, John Ternus worked as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems and holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Colleagues describe him as a meticulous, low-profile engineer embodying Apple’s perfectionism culture.
If appointed, he would be only the sixth CEO in Apple’s nearly 50-year history and the first coming entirely from the company’s modern hardware lineage rather than the Jobs-era leadership circle.
Succession Timeline
The FT report stresses Apple isn’t expected to name a successor before its January earnings call, though internal discussions reportedly show growing urgency around succession planning. The board is focusing on strategies for smooth transition, ensuring Apple’s stock and operations remain steady when Cook eventually steps aside.
Tim Cook has previously hinted he wouldn’t stay forever, stating he doesn’t expect to be CEO a decade from now. With his 14th anniversary approaching next year, that timeline appears consistent.
Future Challenges
Should John Ternus succeed Cook, he’ll face a company amid major transitions: deeper artificial intelligence integration, possible Apple Car revival, and ongoing Vision Pro platform evolution.
Neither Tim Cook nor Ternus has commented on the report.
