Will Tim Cook retire? Apple’s CEO’s upcoming 65th birthday is sparking succession talk

Tim CookApple’s 65th birthday is next week, on November 1st. And as the Apple CEO’s special day approaches, talk of who could be his successor if he decides to retire is growing. Cook has yet to make any official public mention of his retirement, but according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the tech giant is working behind the scenes to ensure a smooth transition when the time comes.

Cook replaced Steve Jobs in 2011, and after a period of uncertainty, Cook led Apple into its most profitable era. Stock watch website Stocktwits reports that the company’s stock has risen about 1,800% since Cook took over.

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Jobs may have introduced devices such as iPhone in everyday use that changed the way we interact with technology, but Cook expanded Apple’s experience. Under his leadership, the company upgraded the Apple smartphone by introducing subscription services and more mobile products, including earphones and wearable.

He introduced Apple Pay, Beats headphones became part of the company’s ecosystem, the Apple Watch launched 10 years ago, and Apple has even entered the entertainment business, producing original Oscar-winning movies and Emmy-winning TV shows through Apple TV Plus.

Read on more: The best iPhone in 2025: Here’s which Apple phone you should buy

We must reiterate that the idea of ​​Cook retiring is pure speculation at this stage. We don’t know what Apple’s CEO is currently planning or what his thoughts are on retirement. However, there are a handful of contenders who are said to have been part of the succession conversation.

Potential contenders for Apple CEO

Apple likely has a « solid bench of successors » that the company’s board is developing, said Brian Ma, vice president of Devices Research at IDC.

« But the anxiety is heightened when there is no clear visibility for such a valuable and iconic company, » says Ma. « The challenge is compounded by the fact that the bar has been set by big rock stars like Steve Jobs and Tim Cook. The next generation of leaders have very big positions to fill. »

John Ternus, Apple’s current vice president of hardware engineering, topped Gurman’s list. Ternus has worked at the tech giant for more than two decades, so he has the knowledge and experience to step up a CEO. It would be helpful to have an engineer behind the wheel.

Ternus appeared at Apple’s September event to present iPhone Air. At 50, he’s the same age Cook took over as Apple’s CEO.

Other potential suitors are also being considered, including Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering; Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing; and Jeff Williams, the company’s former COO, according to a report by Apple Insider. On October 10, Bloomberg reported that Federighi will also soon lead the Apple Watch watchOS operating system, while Ternus will oversee Apple Watch hardware engineering after Williams leaves at the end of the year.

Federighi has been with Apple for a long time and has experience in public speaking – often speaking during the Apple events – that would be vital if he were to replace Cook as CEO. Given his current role, Joswiak has a more marketing perspective and a broader overview of the company, and may not be as hands-on with technology as Ternus and Federighi. And according to Gurman, Williams was considered a candidate to replace Cook until it was announced that his role as COO was ending. (He’s now Apple’s senior vice president of design, watches and health.) Cook held the COO position before replacing Jobs as CEO in 2011. Sabih Khan will step into that COO role, which also puts his name in the running.

When Cook steps down, Apple will undoubtedly have a pool of skilled talent to choose from to take on the leadership mantle. Who exactly will take up the mantle remains to be seen.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.