Apple CEO Tim Cook: There are many candidates available to succeed him

There is hardly any other company in which the managing director is as closely associated with the company as in Apple. For the company, the handover of the CEO position from Steve Jobs to Tim Cook in August 2011 was a radical experience in many respects, which it has coped with well in the past: its economic success was not affected in any way – on the contrary: Apple broke Everyone in the years following the records. If Tim Cook decides to retire after more than a dozen years, investors, analysts and customers will likely watch the move as closely and critically as the previous change.

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In a podcast interview, the 63-year-old revealed for the first time how Apple is preparing for the day. He did not mention any names. He also left an appointment open. There have been rumors recently that Cook is considering leaving in 2025. Then he will be 65, will have introduced a new product category with Vision Pro and would have supported it as president, at least in its early stages.

Target: It must be someone from the company

There has been speculation for years about who his successor could be. Names mentioned include Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams and Chief Software Officer Craig Federighi. But Cook had at least one important piece of advice for singer Dua Lipa, who was a guest in Cupertino for a BBC Sounds podcast: If possible, it should be someone from the company.

Cook literally said there were “very detailed succession plans.” These were also there in case something unexpected happened. So his mission is to “prepare as many people” so they can succeed as CEO. The Supervisory Board can then choose from among the candidates. “And I really want this person to come from Apple.” In doing so, Cook at least reveals that Apple is relying on an internal solution and is not, as already speculated, aiming to find an external successor from the beginning.

In the conversation, Cook also talks, among other things, about his daily routine, which starts in the gym, and his career to the top of Apple. Artificial intelligence and climate change are other topics.

(Makky)