Apple is building up John Ternus – will he be the next CEO?

Apple is facing one of its biggest personnel changes in years. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company is currently undergoing its most comprehensive leadership restructuring in over a decade. Several top executives are planning their departures, while CEO Tim Cook is beginning to groom the next generation of leaders. John Ternus, considered the most likely successor to Apple's leadership, is in particular focus.

Since Steve Jobs's retirement in 2011, Apple has experienced a long period of stability. Under Tim Cook, the company became one of the world's most valuable corporations, characterized by reliable leadership and a well-planned strategy. Now, this era appears to be reaching a turning point. Gurman describes the current changes not as a coincidence, but as the beginning of a planned transition that will lead Apple into a new phase—with fresh faces, new priorities, and the clear goal of strengthening its innovative strength.

The farewell to Jeff Williams and the end of an era

Jeff Williams, Chief Operating Officer and long-time confidant of Tim Cook, is leaving Apple later this year. Williams was considered a potential successor to the CEO for years. His departure marks the first major change in the leadership team since 2019, when both Chief Design Officer Jony Ive and Head of Retail Angela Ahrendts left. According to Gurman, Williams' departure marks the start of a larger restructuring, as many of the current executives have held their positions for over a decade. Phil Schiller, the former Chief Marketing Officer, stepped back from day-to-day operations in 2020 but remains responsible for the App Store and product launches. Former CFO Luca Maestri will also remain partially active at the company and continue to oversee real estate and information systems. Gurman emphasizes that the period of personnel stability at Apple "cannot last forever." Several executives are currently considering whether to leave their roles or redefine them.

Uncertainty in the AI department

One of the key figures in Apple's current leadership structure is John Giannandrea, Senior Vice President of Machine Learning and AI Strategy. He joined Apple from Google in 2018 to lead its artificial intelligence efforts. Since then, he has been responsible for projects such as the new Apple Intelligence platform. Nevertheless, his position is considered uncertain. According to Gurman, there were internal tensions over the direction of the AI strategy, particularly regarding the further development of Siri, whose redesign has been postponed several times. Some of Giannandrea's responsibilities have since been transferred to Mike Rockwell, who previously led the team developing the Vision Pro headset. Rockwell will focus on improving Siri in the future. At the same time, Apple is considering external candidates to strengthen its AI leadership. Among those being considered is a senior manager at Meta Platforms.

Possible changes in the hardware division

The hardware department is also facing potential changes. According to Gurman, Johny Srouji, Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, is considering his future at Apple. Srouji was responsible for the development of the custom A- and M-series chips, which enabled Apple to transition from Intel processors to its own silicon. His achievements also include the development of the first in-house cellular modem. Potential successors are Zongjian Chen, head of the modem and wireless teams, and Sri Santhanam, responsible for processor design.

Apple's environmental chief resigns

Lisa Jackson, vice president for environment, policy, and social initiatives, is also considering leaving Apple, according to Gurman. Jackson previously headed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Barack Obama and joined Apple in 2013. Under her leadership, the company significantly expanded its sustainability strategy and established partnerships to achieve carbon-neutral manufacturing and supply chains. However, in recent years, she has reportedly increasingly stepped back. Her deputies now handle the majority of government work and liaison with U.S. policymakers.

Tim Cook remains in the spotlight – but his successor is ready

Tim Cook will soon turn 65 and remains at the center of discussions about Apple's future. With the departure of Jeff Williams, there is currently no obvious deputy. According to Gurman, Cook could move into the role of chairman in the coming years—a model also chosen by Jeff Bezos at Amazon and Bill Gates at Microsoft. This would allow Cook to continue to provide strategic guidance to Apple while a new CEO assumes operational leadership. The most likely successor is John Ternus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering. Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and assumed responsibility for hardware development, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, in 2021.

Apple positions John Ternus as the face of the next generation

In recent years, he has increasingly stepped into the spotlight and taken on a more visible role in product strategy. He unveiled the new iPhone Air and has recently been prominently featured in several marketing campaigns and interviews. According to Gurman, Apple is deliberately putting Ternus in the spotlight – a clear signal of the planned transition. The 50-year-old is considered a technology-oriented manager with a similar profile to Tim Cook when he became CEO in 2011. According to the report, Apple's board also prefers a technologist as the company's next CEO, as the company plans to expand its areas of artificial intelligence, mixed reality, and home automation in the future.

Apple Q4 2025: Results to be presented on October 30

A possible turning point in Apple's history

Apple's leadership transition will not be abrupt, but gradual. Gurman describes the process as a controlled transition, with experienced managers stepping down and new leaders stepping in. John Ternus is at the center of this process—an engineer deeply rooted in Apple's culture and considered a symbol of the company's technological continuity. The upcoming change demonstrates that, after more than ten years of stability, Apple is resetting its course—not out of crisis, but out of strategic calculation. The goal is clear: Innovation, product quality, and long-term orientation will dominate the coming years, while Tim Cook gradually relinquishes responsibility.

Apple CEO: The transition from Tim Cook to John Ternus is taking shape

Apple is at a pivotal point in its history. With the planned leadership transition and the potential rise of John Ternus, a new phase for the company is beginning. Tim Cook has led Apple through an era of global expansion and stability. Now seems the time to bring the next generation to the forefront. Ternus embodies the transition from experience to renewal—and could be the one to lead Apple into a future where artificial intelligence, hardware innovation, and sustainability are equally critical. While an official announcement has yet to be made, there is little doubt in the industry that John Ternus will be Apple's next CEO. (Image: Apple)