Tim Cook’s tenure at Apple may be nearing its end, and attention inside the world’s most valuable company has turned to a key question: who will lead next?
People familiar with internal discussions say Apple has ramped up its succession planning in recent months, preparing for Cook to potentially step down as chief executive as early as next year.
The move is part of a long-orchestrated plan rather than a response to short-term business conditions, the people said.
Cook, who turned 65 this month, has led Apple since 2011, steering the iPhone maker through an extraordinary period of growth that has seen its market capitalisation surge from about $350 billion to $4 trillion.
His eventual exit would mark one of the biggest leadership transitions in corporate America.
John Ternus rises in the succession race
Within Apple, one name has gained traction: John Ternus, the company’s senior vice-president of hardware engineering.
People close to the board and senior executives describe Ternus as the clear frontrunner thanks to his deep product knowledge and long track record guiding Apple’s hardware strategy.
Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001, has overseen teams responsible for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, as well as the transition to Apple’s in-house silicon chips.
His background in design and engineering would signal a return to hardware-led leadership reminiscent of the Steve Jobs era.
The timing puzzle
Apple is unlikely to name a new CEO before its next earnings report in late January, covering the crucial holiday quarter, sources said.
A leadership announcement early next year could allow a smooth transition in time for the company’s key events — the developer conference in June and the iPhone launch in September.
Despite intensifying preparations, the exact timing of Cook’s departure remains fluid and could change depending on market conditions and internal readiness, the people added.
Balancing continuity and innovation
Cook has publicly said he wants an internal successor, noting that Apple maintains “very detailed succession plans.”
Recent executive changes — including the departures of longtime CFO Luca Maestri and COO Jeff Williams — have helped shape a new generation of leadership around Ternus.
The company’s shares remain near record highs following robust recent earnings, though Apple’s 12 per cent year-to-date gain trails rivals Nvidia, Microsoft and Alphabet, whose stock has been buoyed by investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence.
Appointing Ternus could send a message of steady continuity while refocusing Apple’s leadership on hardware excellence at a moment when it faces pressure to innovate beyond the iPhone.
For investors and employees alike, the question of who takes the reins after Cook is more than symbolic — it defines the next chapter of Apple’s future.
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