Apple Inc. has recently broadened the scope of responsibilities assigned to John Ternus, the company’s senior vice president of hardware engineering. As of late last year, Ternus was given oversight of Apple’s design teams, a move that enhances his stature within the organization and places him in a stronger position as a potential future chief executive officer.
Within Apple, design leadership carries considerable weight due to the company’s historic emphasis on the aesthetics and user experience of its products. This strategic focus dates back to the apple’s formative years under Steve Jobs, where the seamless integration of hardware and software design played a critical role. Managing design oversight has traditionally been reserved for senior-level executives, underlining the importance of the function.
Notably, the position has seen figures like renowned designer Jony Ive, who led the design division until his departure in 2019. During Ive’s temporary absence from 2015 to 2017, Tim Cook personally managed design direction, emphasizing its significance within Apple’s leadership framework. Later, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams assumed design responsibilities until his retirement at the close of 2025.
Currently, Ternus carries the title of “executive sponsor” for Apple’s design sector, acting as the key conduit between the design teams and the company’s executive leadership. His role involves leading internal design figures, representing their interests in executive meetings, and ensuring alignment between creative and operational goals.
Even with these recent organizational changes, no explicit indications have emerged suggesting that Tim Cook, who turned 65 in November and has been CEO since 2011, intends to step down in the near term. When his eventual retirement occurs, it is anticipated that he will maintain an advisory role as chairman for Apple.