Apple said Tim Cook will become executive chairman and John Ternus will become chief executive officer on September 1.

Apple said on April 21, in Cupertino, California, that its board unanimously approved the leadership change after what the company described as a long-term succession process. The company said Cook will remain CEO through the summer before moving to the chairman role. Apple said Ternus, its senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will take over as CEO on September 1.

Apple said Arthur Levinson will move from non-executive chairman to lead independent director on the same date. The company said Ternus will also join Apple’s board on September 1, 2026.

According to Apple, Cook joined the company in 1998 and became CEO in 2011. Apple said Ternus joined its product design team in 2001, became a vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013, and joined the executive team in 2021.

Apple said the change followed board-approved succession planning. The company said Cook, as executive chairman, will assist with some company matters, including engagement with policymakers.