John Ternus: The “Heir Apparent” Taking The Reins Of Apple Design

CUPERTINO, CA—In a quiet but significant reorganization at Apple Park, John Ternus, the Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, has been tapped to oversee the company’s legendary design teams. On Thursday, January 22, 2026, reports confirmed that CEO Tim Cook expanded Ternus’ portfolio at the end of 2025, effectively making him the “Executive Sponsor” for both hardware and software design.

This shift is more than just a managerial change; it signals that Ternus, 50, has officially become the frontrunner to eventually succeed Cook. By adding design to his existing control over hardware, Ternus now oversees the very core of Apple’s product DNA—a responsibility previously held only by titans like Jony Ive and Jeff Williams.

1. The “Executive Sponsor” Role

The new arrangement is unique and reflects Apple’s cautious approach to public succession planning.

• The Structure: While the design teams still technically report to Tim Cook on paper, Ternus manages their day-to-day leadership and serves as their voice in executive meetings.
• Consensus Culture: Design decisions remain a collective effort involving software chief Craig Federighi and marketing head Greg Joswiak, but Ternus is now the primary liaison.
• Why the Secrecy? Analysts suggest the “under-the-radar” nature of this promotion is meant to avoid the appearance of Cook stepping back too soon, especially as Cook recently celebrated his 65th birthday in November 2025.

2. John Ternus: The Technologist’s Profile

Ternus is often described as a “steady hand” with a deep engineering background, contrasting with the purely operational focus of past successors.

• Career Path: Joined Apple in 2001 on the product design team. He rose to VP of Hardware Engineering in 2013 and took the top hardware job in 2021.
• Legacy Projects: He is the primary architect behind the Apple Silicon transition (moving Macs from Intel to M-series chips) and has overseen every generation of iPad, the latest iPhones, and AirPods.
• Public Face: Ternus has become a staple at Apple Events, most notably unveiling the iPhone 17 Air in late 2025.

3. Why He is the Chosen Successor

Apple’s Board of Directors reportedly favors Ternus for three specific reasons:

1. Long Runway: At 50, he is the youngest member of the senior executive team, offering the potential for a 10–15 year tenure similar to Cook and Jobs.
2. Product Vision: Unlike COO Sabih Khan (the other viable candidate), Ternus has deep technical credibility with the engineering teams.
3. The AI Era: Board members view Ternus as the right leader to integrate Apple’s new generative AI features directly into hardware architecture.

Apple’s Design Leadership History