Tim Cook has given his first extended comments on what life looks like after stepping down as Apple CEO, telling The Independent that his transition to executive chairman has gone 'exactly the way I had envisioned it.' Cook spoke during a visit to Apple's Battersea campus in London, where he met King Charles as part of the company's new partnership with The King's Trust, as reported by 9to5Mac.
In the interview, Cook revealed that the handover to new CEO John Ternus was planned well in advance. He said the process 'actually started years ago' and was designed to be 'a textbook example that people could look back to and learn from.' Ternus took over last month, and his tenure opened with the launch of the iPhone Duo.
Tim Cook: 'I'm not meddling' at Apple
Cook was blunt about his role now that Ternus runs the company day to day. He said the two men share 'an incredible level of trust,' with frequent and significant communication, but that his own focus has shifted to worldwide policy.
That means working with governments around the world on the issues Apple is trying to advance or change — work Cook described as significant. He added that he helps Ternus 'in any way he sees fit,' before making his position clear: 'I'm not meddling. I'm not a meddler.'
The advice Cook gave John Ternus: 'Don't mimic me'
Asked what guidance he has passed on to his successor, Cook gave a two-word answer: 'Don't mimic me.' It is a notable line from a CEO whose 14-year run turned Apple into the world's most valuable company and made him one of the most recognizable executives in tech.
Cook also explained the timing of the iPhone Duo launch, saying he wanted Ternus to start with momentum behind him. 'I wanted John to have some wind at his back,' he said, noting that 'the wind at Apple is very much based on the product cycle.'
