Tim Cook is expected to retire next year as CEO of Apple, a position he has held since 2011, after the death of Steve Jobs.
Tim Cook has been CEO of Apple since 2011. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
According to the Financial Times, citing sources close to the company, Apple has accelerated the process of identifying a successor in recent months in anticipation of Cook's departure. The most likely candidate is John Ternus, the current vice president in charge of the hardware division and one of the company's key people in recent years.
However, the cited sources point out that, although Ternus is the favourite, no final decision has been made yet.
Cook's departure would be unrelated to Apple's performance, with the company seeing consistent growth in both revenue and its portfolio of products and services during his time at the helm. In fact, aged 65, Tim Cook would simply like to retire.
The exact timing of the succession is currently unknown, but Financial Times sources say it will not take place before the publication of the next quarterly financial report, scheduled for the end of January.
Steven Paul Jobs was an American businessman, inventor and investor, known as the founder and CEO of Apple Computer. He also led the Pixar animation studio until its acquisition by Disney, later becoming the largest individual shareholder of the Disney company and a member of its board of directors. Jobs is considered one of the most influential figures in the technology and entertainment industry.
