Tim Cook steps down as Apple CEO

American multinational technology company, Apple, has announced that Tim Cook will step down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with John Ternus set to take over the role from September 1.

The company disclosed on Monday that Ternus, its head of hardware engineering, will succeed Cook, who will remain at Apple as executive chair.

“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. I love Apple with all of my being,” Cook said in a press release.

Cook took over leadership of the company in 2011, succeeding co-founder Steve Jobs, and has since led Apple through a period of global growth and consistent product development.

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During his tenure, the company expanded its reach across markets, with the iPhone remaining central to its success. Apple recently reported its strongest quarterly iPhone sales, driven by increased demand in China, while its market value rose significantly over the years.

Plans for Cook’s succession had been underway prior to the announcement, with Ternus widely seen as a leading candidate. 

He has been with the company since 2001 and has held key roles within Apple’s engineering division.

“I am humbled to step into this role, and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place for half a century,” Ternus said.

Ternus assumes leadership at a time when Apple continues to perform strongly in its core businesses but faces growing scrutiny over its direction, particularly in artificial intelligence. The company has been slower than some competitors in advancing AI integration, often relying on third-party tools for features such as Siri.

While its flagship products remain dominant, newer offerings like the Vision Pro have yet to generate significant consumer demand.

(The Guardian UK)