Apple is heading into a pivotal leadership moment as questions grow around Tim Cook’s long-term future at the company. Several people close to the matter say discussions about who will guide Apple’s next chapter are becoming more focused, especially as internal responsibilities continue to shift.
According to the Financial Times, Apple’s board has begun mapping out a formal succession plan and is preparing for the possibility that Cook could step down as early as next year. The report adds that John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, has emerged as the leading contender. Ternus oversees the company’s hardware portfolio and has played a key role in recent product cycles.
Cook, who recently turned 65, has led Apple for 14 years. His tenure has delivered massive financial growth but has also included high-profile controversies. He is also widely associated with Apple’s move toward outsourced manufacturing, which allowed the company to scale its operations far beyond past levels.
Speculation about Cook’s future intensified soon after Apple COO Jeff Williams retired. His final day at the company was Friday. With his exit, Apple redistributed senior responsibilities. Eddy Cue now has a wider services mandate, Craig Federighi has expanded oversight of software, and Ternus has taken on a larger strategic role.
Even with rising speculation, Cook has repeatedly said Apple prefers internal leadership transitions. He has described Apple’s succession plans as very detailed, which strongly suggests the next CEO will come from within Apple rather than from outside the company.