Apple ramps up succession planning as CEO Tim Cook is expected to step down next year

By Reuters November 16, 2025 | 07:29 pm PT

Apple is stepping up its succession planning efforts as it prepares for Tim Cook to step down as chief executive of the tech giant as soon as next year, the Financial Times reported.

Apple CEO Tim Cook after meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on April 17, 2024 in Jakarta. Photo by AP

John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering, is widely seen as Cook's most likely successor, the Financial Times reported, citing several people familiar with discussions.

Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The newspaper quoted people familiar with discussions inside the iPhone maker as saying its board and senior executives had recently intensified preparations for Cook to hand over the reins after more than 14 years.

Apple is unlikely to name a new CEO before its next earnings report in late January, which covers the critical holiday period, the Financial Times said.

Cook became CEO in 2011 after Silicon Valley legend Steve Jobs resigned, ending his reign at the technology giant he co-founded in a garage.