Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Apple CEO John Ternus Takes Hands-On Role in Design
Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, is spending a lot of time on how Apple products are designed and built.
A report says he works closely with engineers and design teams.
Tim Cook, the previous CEO, focused more on areas such as operations, sales, finances, and the supply chain.
Ternus has left many financial and operational jobs to other senior leaders.
Apple’s two design teams now report to him, the report says.
He visits the design studio several times a week, and sometimes more than once in a day.
Apple is also rebuilding its Industrial Design team after employees left for OpenAI’s hardware firm.
Ternus’s involvement may give design a stronger voice in company decisions.
A report says CEO John Ternus is focusing more on product engineering and design.
Unlike former CEO Tim Cook, Ternus reportedly leaves more financial and operational duties to executives including Kevan Parekh and Sabih Khan.
Ternus spends significant time with hardware leaders Johny Srouji and Tom Marieb, according to the report.
Apple’s Human Interface Design and Industrial Design teams now report to Ternus after previously reporting to Jeff Williams and then Tim Cook.
Ternus reportedly visits the design studio several times a week as Apple rebuilds its Industrial Design team.
- Who
- Apple CEO John Ternus and Apple’s design and hardware engineering teams.
- What
- Ternus is reportedly taking a hands-on role in product engineering and design, with the design teams reporting to him.
- When
- Since Ternus became CEO; the report gives no specific date.
- Where
- Apple’s design studio and company leadership structure.
- Why
- The report says design and hardware engineering require close coordination, and Ternus is directly involved in product development.
Operational focus
Product and design focus
CEO priorities
Operational focus
Tim Cook spent much of his time overseeing operations, sales, financial strategy, and Apple’s supply chain.
Product and design focus
John Ternus reportedly gives greater direct attention to product engineering and design, while delegating more financial and operational responsibilities.
Design leadership
Operational focus
Apple’s design departments lacked one executive overseeing both teams, and their reporting arrangements had shifted between Jeff Williams and Tim Cook.
Product and design focus
The teams now report to Ternus, whose regular studio involvement may make him their de facto design leader and give design a stronger voice in executive decisions.
- CEO
- John Ternus
- Former CEO
- Tim Cook
- Financial and operational leaders named
- CFO Kevan Parekh and COO Sabih Khan
- Hardware leaders named
- Johny Srouji and Tom Marieb
- Design groups
- Human Interface Design and Industrial Design
- Reported studio visits
- Several times a week, sometimes multiple times in one day
- Recent Industrial Design hire named
- Belgian furniture designer Julien Renault