For more than fourteen years, Tim Cook has guided Apple with remarkable steadiness and strategic vision, steering the company through an era of unparalleled growth and technological transformation. However, like every chapter in corporate leadership, his tenure as chief executive will not last indefinitely. Recent leadership changes have hinted that the company is preparing for a major transition, and analysts across the technology and financial sectors have begun to identify possible successors. Among them, John Ternus—Apple’s seasoned head of hardware engineering—has increasingly stood out as the most likely candidate to eventually assume the role of CEO. This speculation follows the announcement that Cook’s long-term deputy, Jeff Williams, intends to retire before 2026, triggering heightened attention to Apple’s succession plans.
Sources close to the matter, including recent reports from the *Financial Times*, suggest that the 65-year-old Cook could step down as early as next year, potentially following Apple’s earnings announcement for January. This has reportedly prompted the company to accelerate and refine its succession planning, ensuring a seamless transition in one of the most scrutinized executive roles in global business. In parallel, *Bloomberg* has reiterated Ternus’s position as “the most likely heir apparent,” reinforcing industry expectations that Apple may soon return to a CEO who possesses deep roots in product design and engineering—an origin reminiscent of Steve Jobs’s hands-on approach to innovation.
Cook has repeatedly emphasized that when the time comes to hand over leadership, he would vastly prefer that the next Apple CEO emerge from within the company. In various interviews, he has confirmed that he is actively preparing multiple executives for potential succession, carefully mentoring internal leaders to guarantee continuity in Apple’s culture and vision. As he expressed in a 2023 conversation, his goal is not to designate a single successor prematurely but rather to cultivate a group of capable candidates for the board’s consideration. Despite the intensifying speculation, Cook has made clear that he has no immediate plans to depart, affirming his dedication and personal attachment to the company by saying that he “can’t envision life without Apple” and intends to remain for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, as speculation swirls, Apple enthusiasts and industry observers alike have grown progressively more acquainted with John Ternus. His prominence has expanded noticeably through frequent public appearances, particularly during product launches and high-profile events tied to the iPhone, Mac, and other flagship devices. Educated as a mechanical engineer at the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1997, Ternus began his career in applied engineering before joining Apple’s product design team in 2001. Over the following decade, he contributed to many of the company’s major hardware projects, from early iPad generations to the evolution of AirPods, before being promoted to vice president of hardware engineering in 2013, succeeding longtime executive Dan Riccio.
That technical pedigree positions Ternus as an executive deeply informed by the principles of design, materials, and functionality—qualities that could define a new phase at Apple if he becomes CEO. The possibility of returning to leadership shaped by a designer-engineer hybrid echoes Apple’s historic identity, where hardware aesthetics and performance have consistently intertwined to create the company’s distinct brand value. As such, his ascent would symbolize more than just a change in management; it would represent continuity with the product-centric philosophy that has long underpinned Apple’s success.
Ternus also possesses substantial experience in public speaking and stage presentation—skills crucial for Apple’s top executive, whose role entails addressing global audiences during meticulously orchestrated keynote events viewed by millions. Over the years, he has demonstrated confidence on stage, introducing innovations and unveiling new product lines at events like Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). He notably presented updated versions of the iMac and MacBook and, more recently, led the launch of the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air models during Apple’s “Let Loose” event in May 2024. In 2025, he has maintained an active presence through media interviews discussing Apple’s initiatives in artificial intelligence—marketed as Apple Intelligence—and new hardware developments.
When Apple introduced the iPhone Air, Ternus appeared alongside Greg “Joz” Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, in an interview focused on demonstrating the device’s durability and craftsmanship. The video quickly drew wide online engagement, with nearly 350,000 views and spirited discussions about which of the two executives might eventually succeed Cook. Although some speculated about Joswiak’s candidacy, his age—only three years younger than Cook—has led most observers to view Ternus as the more likely next-generation leader capable of carrying Apple into its future era.
Despite the intense curiosity surrounding succession, Apple itself has remained characteristically discreet, offering no official comment. Cook, however, continues to message confidence in the company’s preparedness, assuring stakeholders that the board maintains a “very detailed succession plan.” His approach underscores his methodical, long-term planning philosophy—one that prioritizes organizational stability, cultural preservation, and sustained innovation over abrupt change. In interviews, he has been candid about his love for the company, affirming that stepping aside is not imminent but that when the time comes, Apple will be ready.
As one of the world’s most valuable and closely watched corporations, Apple’s future leadership inevitably commands global attention. Whether or not Ternus ultimately becomes CEO, his growing visibility, engineering expertise, and calm yet authoritative public demeanor have already made him a central figure in Apple’s evolving narrative. For now, both the tech industry and Apple’s loyal fan base continue to watch attentively, aware that the company’s next transition may shape not only its internal direction but also the broader landscape of consumer technology for years to come.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-john-ternus-exec-tipped-replace-tim-cook-ceo-2024-9
