John Ternus has officially taken over as CEO of Apple, succeeding Tim Cook after his 15-year tenure at the helm of the tech giant.
Key facts
- •John Ternus officially assumed the CEO position on September 1.
- •Tim Cook served as Apple's CEO for 15 years and will transition to the role of executive chairman.
- •Apple’s share price grew by more than 2,000% during Cook’s tenure.
- •The company sold over 3.1 billion iPhones between 2011 and 2024.
- •Ternus will make his first public appearance as CEO at an event on September 9.
John Ternus officially began his role as Apple’s CEO on September 1, marking the first leadership transition at the company since 2011. Ternus, previously a leader in Apple’s hardware division, succeeds Tim Cook, who served as CEO for 15 years. Cook will remain with the company as executive chairman on Apple’s board of directors.
By the numbers
Transition and Legacy
Tim Cook’s tenure, which began in 2011 following the departure of cofounder Steve Jobs, saw Apple grow into one of the world’s most profitable and valuable companies. During his time as CEO, Apple’s share price increased by more than 2,000%, and the company sold over 3.1 billion iPhones. In a farewell letter to employees, Cook emphasized the importance of corporate culture, stating that the company’s work reflects a responsibility to improve the world.
Strategic Challenges and Future Outlook
As the third CEO in Apple’s history since 1997, John Ternus faces significant pressure to reshape the company’s artificial intelligence strategy. Critics have noted that Apple has lagged behind industry rivals in AI development, a sector now considered vital to the future of technology companies. Francisco Jeronimo of the research group IDC noted that while upcoming product announcements were planned under Cook’s leadership, the industry will be watching to see how Ternus prioritizes AI in his future strategy. Ternus is scheduled to make his public debut as CEO at the company’s 'Surprise and Shine' product launch event on September 9, where he is expected to introduce a new AI-powered version of Siri and the company’s first foldable iPhone.
Timeline
- AprilJohn Ternus was announced as the successor to Tim Cook.
- September 1John Ternus officially began his first day as CEO.
- September 9Ternus is scheduled to make his public debut at the company's product launch event.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Verge, Deutsche Welle Business.
