Satya Nadella was among the first major tech CEOs to publicly respond to Apple’s leadership shake-up. The Microsoft chief took to X to wish Tim Cook well in his next chapter and welcome John Ternus into the CEO spotlight. “Wishing you all the best in this next chapter, @tim_cook. You’ve always led with clarity and purpose, and your impact on Apple and across our industry will be felt for years to come. And congrats John!” Nadella wrote.The message was brief but warm—and notably, Nadella made a point of calling out both men. Cook gets a send-off; Ternus receives a direct congratulations. It’s a small detail, but it signals that the broader tech world is already treating Ternus as a peer worth acknowledging.
Cook steps down after nearly 15 years as Apple CEO, with Ternus set to take over in September
Apple officially announced on April 20 that Tim Cook will become executive chairman of its board, with John Ternus—currently senior vice president of Hardware Engineering—stepping in as CEO effective September 1, 2026. The transition was unanimously approved by Apple’s board.Google CEO Sundar Pichai also chimed in, calling it “an incredible run” and noting he looked forward to working with Ternus going forward.Cook, who took over from Steve Jobs in 2011, leaves behind a dramatically different Apple—one that grew from a $350 billion company to a $4 trillion giant on his watch. Ternus, who has been at Apple since 2001, was instrumental in launching the iPad, AirPods, and multiple iPhone generations.For now, Cook isn’t going anywhere just yet. He will remain CEO through the summer before formally handing over to Ternus. His role as executive chairman will keep him engaged with policymakers and broader company strategy.
