John Ternus emerges as leading candidate to replace Tim Cook at Apple

John Ternus, Apple’s head of hardware engineering, has emerged as a front-runner to replace Tim Cook as chief executive if Mr. Cook steps aside, The New York Times reported. The Times said Mr. Ternus, a low-profile but influential executive who joined Apple in 2001, has a reputation for balancing new features with profit considerations — for example suggesting in about 2018 that a costly laser component be added only to higher-end iPhone Pro models, according to two people familiar with the discussions.

The paper reported that Apple accelerated succession planning last year and that Mr. Cook, 65, has told senior leaders he is tired and would like to reduce his workload; if he steps down he is likely to become chairman of Apple’s board, the report said, citing three people close to the company.

The Times said Mr. Ternus, 50, is seen by some insiders as the leading internal candidate but that Mr. Cook is preparing other potential successors, including Craig Federighi, Eddy Cue, Greg Joswiak and Deirdre O’Brien. Mr. Ternus is described as detail-focused, knowledgeable about Apple’s supply network and an even-tempered collaborator; former employees and alumni debate whether he would lead more like Mr.

Cook or like Steve Jobs. “If you want to make an iPhone every year, Ternus is your guy,” one former Apple manager told the paper. What happens next remains up to Apple’s board of directors, the Times noted.

Key Topics

Tech, John Ternus, Apple, Tim Cook, Iphone, Succession Planning