More pointers to John Ternus as the next Apple CEO

While everyone is careful to acknowledge that Apple CEO Tim Cook isn’t likely to retire imminently, and that the decision about his replacement hasn’t yet been made, there seems little doubt that John Ternus is the current heir apparent.

An extensive new Bloomberg profile underlines this, describing both internal and external pointers to the company’s favored choice …

Conflicting reports about Tim Cook’s retirement

They have long been conflicting reports about when current Cook is likely to retire.

Back in the summer of last year, it was said that there were no apparent plans for a transition to a new chief exec. Since such plans would take time, it was suggested that this meant Cook planned to remain in post for an extended period. This was also the point at which the most obvious candidate, COO Jeff Williams, retired.

By November, with Cook turning 65, there was renewed speculation about when he might step down and who might replace him. By that point, hardware chief John Ternus was the leading candidate. However, there were conflicting reports about how soon a transfer of power might occur.

Just last week, Cook himself seemed to indicate that he is planning to stick around for some time yet – though it should be noted that his remarks could also cover the possibility of him transitioning to the role of chairman.

More pointers to John Ternus as successor

An extensive profile of John Ternus by Bloomberg points to both internal and external clues that he is very much the favourite in the race.

The MacBook Neo is arguably the company’s most significant new hardware release for several years, and it was Ternus – not Cook – who was the face of the launch.

When Apple held an event in New York to announce the MacBook Neo, a $599 laptop, it was Ternus, not Cook, who did the big reveal. The next day, Ternus also appeared on Good Morning America to talk up the device, the type of media appearance Cook has generally done himself.

Internally, the piece reports that the hardware exec’s empire has been growing.

Last year he took control of a secretive unit developing robots, including a tabletop device with a screen that swirls to focus on a speaker moving around the room during a FaceTime call. (It’s slated for release as early as next year.) He has taken a bigger role in Apple’s product marketing, sometimes personally editing copy for the website and product event materials, and has become central to the company’s work to make its devices more environmentally sustainable.

Ternus has also assumed oversight of the hardware and software design teams, making him the key liaison between Apple’s vaunted design organization and senior management—meaning he’s already one of the most influential people in the company’s history.

An org chart included in the piece shows five divisions now reporting to him:

• Hardware engineering
• Hardware product design
• Product testing and management
• Home, audio, and robotics engineering
• Apple design team

Ternus is also said to have a management and communication style very similar to that of Cook and to have a similar attitude to risk. Not everyone will see that latter point as a good thing, of course, with some arguing that the company needs to be significantly bolder. However, after initially seeming to fail to appreciate the importance of AI to the company’s future, the piece says that is no longer the case.

The full piece is worth reading, and this gift link will get you past the paywall.