Tim Cook to step down as Apple CEO? Here’s who could take charge

Is Tim Cook finally leaving Apple? That’s the big question making waves in the tech world. Cook, who has been Apple’s CEO since 2011, turns 65 next month, and reports suggest that serious discussions about who could replace him are already underway.

Over the years, Apple has seen several high-profile exits. Design chief Jony Ive and retail head Angela Ahrendts left in 2019, while CFO Luca Maestri and COO Jeff Williams stepped away more recently. But none of these departures stirred as much buzz as the thought of Cook eventually handing over the reins.

So, who’s next in line? According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the strongest contender is John Ternus, Apple’s Vice President of Hardware Engineering. Ternus has been at Apple for nearly 24 years and has become a key decision-maker, shaping product strategies and features that go far beyond his hardware role.

At 50, Ternus is considered the right age to take charge for at least a decade if things go smoothly. Coincidentally, Tim Cook was also 50 when he became CEO. Gurman points out that most other senior executives at Apple are either too young or nearing retirement, which makes Ternus the most balanced option.