Apple’s current CEO, Tim Cook, took the position on August 24, 2011. Being in office for over a decade, Cook has steered Apple from what it was in the early 2010s to one of the most valuable companies on the planet. However, we know that Cook can only lead the company for a while; he has to retire someday. And as that day approaches, the internet is going crazy about who could be his successor. Turns out, we already have an answer.
ALSO SEE: Best Infinix Gaming Mobile Phones Price List 2024
Cook Wants Someone From Within Apple To Succeed Him
In October 2023, Cook appeared on a podcast with the popular English singer Dua Lipa. During the conversation, he talked briefly about his retirement and said he wanted someone from within the company to succeed him. Even though Cook will be around for another two to three years, Apple’s top executives and board have been looking for replacements for a while now, in the company itself.
ALSO SEE: Maruti Sunroof Cars in India
Jeff Williams And John Ternus Are Among The Top Candidates
According to the Bloomberg report that sheds light on the matter, the current Chief Operating Officer at Apple, Jeff Williams, has long been seen as Cook’s successor. Back in 2014, Williams was called Cook’s right hand. However, given that Williams is 61 years old, he might not be the ideal candidate for Apple, which seeks long-term leaders for operational stability.
Hence, the top Apple executives have turned to John Ternus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering. A person close to the executive team told Bloomberg that “Tim likes him a lot because he can give a good presentation, he’s very mild-mannered, never puts anything into an email that is controversial, and is a very reticent decision-maker.” However, another person who spoke with the publication said that Ternus is “too junior” to take the role of Apple’s CEO.
Ternus reports directly to Cook and has been vice president of hardware engineering for a decade. Over the years, Ternus has played a key role in shaping Apple’s most popular products, such as the iPhone, iPad, and AirPods. Ternus has helped the company transition from Intel chipsets to in-house Apple Silicon. Before joining the company, Ternus worked as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems.
ALSO SEE: Cars With Push Button Start
Other Potential Candidates
Other potential candidates for Apple include Craig Federighi, the senior vice president of software engineering, and Deirdre O’Brien, the senior vice president of retail. While the former oversees the developments in iOS and macOS, the latter manages the company’s retail stores and partnerships.
Apple’s foray into the AI industry will play a key role in determining who will take the baton from Tim Cook. Given that AI will dominate the next decade, someone with a keen understanding of the technology (and how it integrates into Apple products), a sharp business sense, and a sense of public speaking could be the ideal candidate for the company.
You can follow Smartprix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto news, reviews, and guides.
