New Delhi, April 22 -- John Ternus, the 51-year-old senior vice president of hardware engineering at Apple Inc., is set to become the company's eighth chief executive, succeeding Tim Cook on 1 September 2026.

As Cook moves into the role of executive chairman, Ternus will take charge of one of the world's most valuable companies. His elevation has long been anticipated, with speculation building over several months, particularly after Jeff Williams, previously seen as Cook's most likely successor, exited the company in July 2025. In the months since, analysts and insiders have consistently identified Ternus as the frontrunner.

Even so, the challenges ahead are significant. Ternus will be expected to match or exceed Cook's record of deliv...