Major Apple Leadership Shakeup Impending With John Ternus as Next CEO
Apple is reportedly preparing for its most significant leadership change in more than a decade. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a major Apple leadership shakeup impending with John Ternus as next CEO could redefine the company’s direction as several top executives plan to depart.
Tim Cook’s Era Nears Transition
CEO Tim Cook is said to be guiding Apple through a gradual transition as he shapes the next generation of leaders. With multiple senior executives nearing retirement or reassignment, the company is bracing for one of its biggest internal overhauls since the late 2010s.
Jeff Williams Steps Away
Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams, long viewed as Cook’s likely successor, has already handed off his operations duties and will officially leave later this year. His exit marks Apple’s first major leadership change since 2019, when design legend Jony Ive and retail head Angela Ahrendts both departed.
Gurman suggests this move signals the start of a broader executive reshuffle, affecting veterans who have been at Apple for more than a decade.
AI and Hardware Leadership in Flux
One of the biggest question marks in the shakeup surrounds John Giannandrea, Apple’s AI chief. Brought in from Google in 2018, Giannandrea has faced challenges in Apple’s AI strategy, especially around Siri’s redevelopment. Some of his responsibilities have reportedly shifted to Mike Rockwell, the executive behind Vision Pro, who’s now leading improvements to Siri.
Apple is also said to be exploring external hires to bolster its AI efforts — including executives from Meta Platforms — amid growing competition in the generative AI space.
Hardware Division Could See Big Changes
Apple’s hardware division may also undergo significant turnover. Johny Srouji, the executive behind Apple’s A-series and M-series chips, is reportedly “evaluating his future.” Srouji’s team led Apple’s successful transition from Intel processors to Apple silicon and is currently developing the company’s first in-house modem.
Possible internal successors include Zongjian Chen, head of modem and wireless teams, and Sri Santhanam, who oversees processor design.
Environmental Chief Lisa Jackson Eyes Retirement
Another potential departure is Lisa Jackson, Apple’s Vice President for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. Jackson, who joined Apple in 2013 after serving under President Obama at the EPA, has been instrumental in shaping Apple’s sustainability and government relations strategy. Reports suggest she has been taking a step back in recent years, delegating most federal interactions to her deputies.
Tim Cook’s Next Chapter
Tim Cook, who turns 65 next month, remains central to Apple’s leadership story. Gurman notes that Cook might eventually transition to a chairman role, mirroring moves by Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Larry Ellison at their respective companies.
With Jeff Williams’s departure, there’s currently no clear second-in-command — which has placed John Ternus squarely in the spotlight.
John Ternus: The Next Apple CEO
All signs point toward John Ternus as the likely successor. As Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, Ternus has quietly become one of the most influential figures at the company.
Having joined Apple in 2001 and rising to senior VP in 2021, Ternus has overseen the design and engineering of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Gurman describes him as “the most likely heir apparent,” citing his expanding influence and growing visibility in Apple’s product strategy and internal communications.
A Defining Moment for Apple’s Future
The major Apple leadership shakeup impending with John Ternus as next CEO represents more than a change in titles — it’s a generational shift. With Cook possibly moving into a chairman role and several longtime executives departing, Ternus could lead Apple into its next era of innovation, hardware excellence, and AI transformation.
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