There are a number of tech moguls who are considered to be in the running to replace Tim Cook as Apple CEO of the $3 trillion company.
This comes as the tech giant has reportedly stepped up its preparations for a potential replacement in case Cook steps down.
Cook took over as the head of Apple after co-founder Steve Jobs’ death in 2011.
If he is to leave, it will mark the end of his 14-year run, but who is in the running to take over?
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According to reports, one contender is hardware engineering chief John Ternus.
Ternus first joined the firm back in 2001 as a member of the product design team before climbing the ranks and becoming part of Apple’s executive team in 2021.
It seems like Ternus could be a favorite for the spot as he is trusted by Cook and has been described as ‘charismatic and well-regarded by Apple loyalists’, as per Bloomberg News.
However, Ternus is not the only person in the running for the top spot as Dan Ives, who is the head of technology research at Wedbush Securities, is also considered to be a contender.
Although, Ives doesn’t seem convinced that Cook could be set to leave anytime soon, telling the New York Post that is was likely the CEO would remain in his post for the foreseeable future ‘given our view that the AI strategy is front and center for him to build…and he’s not gonna hand the keys to the castle without the AI strategy fully in motion’.
Cook himself hasn’t shared any details on when he might be leaving the tech giant.
Speaking on a podcast in 2023, he said: “We’re a company that believes in working on succession plans, so we have very detailed succession plans, because something unpredictable can always happen.”
Cook continued: “I really want the person to come from within Apple, the next CEO. So that’s my role: That there’s several for the board to pick from.”
And it doesn’t look like Cook wants to take a step back anytime soon as he went on to say: “I love it. I can’t envision my life without being there so I’ll be there a while.”
So, why it is not clear when Cook will leave or who will replace him, it is safe to say that Apple has it all figured out for when that day arises.