Apple CEO Tim Cook to step down after 15 years
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
Apple has announced its biggest leadership change in 15 years, with Tim Cook set to hand over the role of Chief Executive to hardware boss John Ternus on September 1, 2026.
Cook, who took over from the late Steve Jobs in 2011, will remain involved in the company as Executive Chairman, focused on policy engagement and board-level responsibilities.
Ternus, 50, has spent almost his entire career at Apple, joining in 2001 and most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering.
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He led the teams behind the iPad, AirPods, and the latest iPhone lineup, including the newly released iPhone Air.
Under Cook's leadership, Apple grew its market capitalisation from roughly $350 billion to $4 trillion — a more than tenfold increase.
The company now operates in more than 200 countries, and its products are used by more than 2.5 billion people worldwide.
"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," Cook said in a statement.
"I love Apple with all of my being, and 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.
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"John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honour. He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future.
"I could not be more confident in his abilities and his character, and I look forward to working closely with him on this transition and in my new role as executive chairman."
The transition was approved unanimously by Apple's board of directors. Arthur Levinson, Apple's non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will move to the role of Lead Independent Director.
Ternus will join the board when he becomes CEO.
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