Apple faces executive turnover amid Tim Cook’s expected step-down

Apple is bracing for major leadership changes, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams, long viewed as Tim Cook’s likely successor, is expected to leave the company this year. Several other senior executives are also preparing to depart, including John Giannandrea (Apple Intelligence and Siri), Mike Rockwell (Siri and Vision Pro), Johny Srouji (A- and M-series chips), and Lisa Jackson (social and environmental initiatives).

Gurman says Cook is likely to step down as Apple’s CEO for good this year as he turns 65. He is expected to remain involved with the company, potentially as chairman of the board.

The leading candidate to succeed him is John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering. At 50, the same age Cook was when he took over from Steve Jobs, Ternus could potentially steer the company for another decade. Gurman argues Apple now needs a technologist at the helm rather than a sales or operations executive, and Ternus is widely respected inside the company as well as trusted by Cook.

Ternus has already been in the spotlight, unveiling the iPhone Air at Apple’s recent event and greeting customers at the London Apple Store, appearances that may be part of a careful preparation for his elevation.