John Ternus Aims to Revitalize Apple's Design Leadership

WHO:

Techmeme - John Ternus is the incoming CEO of Apple.

9to5Mac - Jony Ive is a former key figure in Apple's design team.

9to5Mac - Jeff Williams is the ex-COO who oversaw the design team after Ive's departure.

9to5Mac - Molly Anderson and Steve Lemay are recent additions to Apple's leadership page.

WHAT:

Techmeme - John Ternus is preparing to put his imprint on Apple's industrial design team.

9to5Mac - Ternus aims to restore the importance of the design group within Apple.

9to5Mac - Ternus has spent considerable time with the industrial design group in preparation for his role.

9to5Mac - Ternus will introduce a new foldable iPhone at a media event in the fall.

WHEN:

9to5Mac - Ternus's succession as CEO is set to begin on September 1.

WHY:

9to5Mac - The design team's influence has waned over the past decade due to the focus on finance and operations.

9to5Mac - Ternus is motivated to reaffirm the design group's importance for Apple's future.

HOW:

9to5Mac - Ternus is reportedly looking to restore the design team's authority by being more involved in product decisions than his predecessor, Tim Cook.

9to5Mac - Ternus is being presented as the face of recent design successes, such as the MacBook Neo.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 03:36 UTC)

John Ternus is set to take over as CEO of Apple on September 1, aiming to revitalize the company's industrial design team, which has seen its influence decline in recent years. With a strong background in the design group, Ternus plans to be more involved in product decisions than his predecessor, Tim Cook, and will introduce a new foldable iPhone at a media event in the fall. Recent additions to Apple's leadership, including Molly Anderson and Steve Lemay, will support Ternus as he seeks to reaffirm the design group's significance for the company's future.