Apple appoints John Ternus as CEO to revitalize design

John Ternus, the incoming chief executive officer of Apple Inc., will take over leadership of the technology giant from Tim Cook on September 1, 2026, with a stated mission to revitalize the company's famed industrial design team and restore its central influence. The planned transition follows years of reported decline within the design organization, which has seen a loss of executive power and a wave of senior staff departures since the exit of legendary designer Jony Ive.

According to internal reports, Ternus has already spent considerable time with the industrial design group in preparation for his new role. In meetings with employees, he has emphasized that design remains a core priority for Apple, stating that the company has brought incredible design to more people than any firm in history and pledging to ensure that remains the case. He described Apple products as the most beautifully designed items most customers own.

The design studio's challenges are traced back to structural changes over the past decade. After Ive stepped back from day-to-day management in 2015 and left Apple entirely in 2019, oversight of the design team was shifted to Chief Operating Officer Jeff...