Apple has intensified internal discussions about who will lead the company after Tim Cook, according to a report from the Financial Times. People familiar with the talks said the company is preparing for the possibility that Cook could leave the chief executive role as early as next year. The move signals a shift inside Apple, where long-term leadership planning traditionally unfolds behind closed doors.
John Ternus, the senior vice president responsible for hardware engineering, has emerged as the leading candidate. He has overseen major product updates in recent years and is viewed by insiders as a steady presence with wide support across teams. The Financial Times reported that several executives expect him to take the top job if Cook steps aside.
Apple has not commented on the report. Cook, who took over in 2011 after the death of Steve Jobs, has guided the company through major expansions in services, chips and devices. His future has been the subject of speculation because of his long tenure and Apple’s efforts to prepare its next generation of leadership.
The company remains silent for now, but the renewed focus on succession suggests that decisions may come sooner rather than later.