Apple is entering a critical leadership phase as uncertainty grows around Tim Cook’s long-term future. According to insiders, conversations about who will lead Apple’s next era are becoming more serious, especially as major responsibilities inside the company continue to shift.
A report from the Financial Times reveals that Apple’s board has officially started shaping a formal CEO succession plan, preparing for the possibility that Cook might step down as soon as next year. The report highlights John Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, as the top contender. Ternus currently oversees Apple’s entire hardware lineup and has been central to the company’s recent product launches.
Cook, who recently turned 65, has been Apple’s CEO for 14 years a period that brought massive financial success but also several high-profile controversies. He is strongly associated with Apple’s aggressive shift toward outsourced manufacturing, a strategy that helped the company scale far beyond what was previously possible.
Speculation around Cook’s future intensified right after the retirement of Apple COO Jeff Williams. Williams’ final day was Friday, and his departure triggered a major reshuffling of senior roles. Eddy Cue now has broader responsibilities in services, Craig Federighi has expanded control over software, and Ternus has taken on a far bigger strategic position strengthening rumours that he may be next in line.
Despite the buzz, Cook has maintained that Apple prefers internal leadership transitions. He has often described Apple’s succession roadmap as “very detailed,” which strongly suggests that the next CEO will almost certainly be chosen from within the company rather than an external hire.
For now, the tech world including many in Pakistan who closely follow Apple’s every move is watching to see how Apple prepares for its next chapter.
