Apple held a special ceremony a few days before the end of Tim Cook's tenure as CEO and the start of his new professional phase at the company to thank its longtime chief executive. The event took place as Apple prepared to transfer the helm to John Ternus; Ternus will officially become Apple's CEO on September 1 (10 Shahrivar).
Farewell ceremony attended by 200 people
The ceremony was held last Saturday at Apple's headquarters, just one day before the fifteenth anniversary of Tim Cook beginning his work as the company's CEO. About 200 employees, executives, and prominent figures attended to commemorate Cook's long period of service at Apple.
The band OneRepublic also performed at the event, adding a special energy to the occasion, which reflected its significance for one of the world's largest technology companies.
At the ceremony, several figures associated with Apple's history also gave speeches and expressed appreciation for Tim Cook. Among these were Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of the late Apple founder Steve Jobs, Jeff Williams, the company's former Chief Operating Officer, Eddy Cue, head of Apple's services division, and John Ternus, the company's future CEO.
Cook is not leaving Apple
Despite the farewell atmosphere at the event, Tim Cook will not completely leave Apple and after the end of his CEO tenure will move to the position of Chair of the Board.
Cook is expected to continue to participate in some of Apple's strategic initiatives, including engagement with decision-makers and officials around the world. However, his media presence will decrease compared with his time as CEO.
This transition marks the end of an almost 15-year era in Apple's leadership; the period during which Cook led the company after succeeding Steve Jobs. Apple now prepares to begin a new chapter under the leadership of John Ternus.
John Ternus's first major test
John Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and has a long tenure at the company. Since 2021 he has also served as Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering at Apple.
The highly anticipated launch of the next-generation iPhone in September will be Ternus's first major test as Apple's CEO.
Available information indicates that the transfer of power at Apple will focus on continuing the current course of the company, and major changes to Apple's management structure or strategies are not expected in the early stages of Ternus's leadership.
Thus, Apple is moving past one of the most important management periods in its history and entering a new phase; a phase that will be based on both continuing the path set during Tim Cook's leadership and confronting the challenges of a changing technology market under the new CEO's management.