Tim Cook is not interfering in the work of Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, he told The Independent’s David Phelan in his first interview since stepping down. Cook handed over the CEO role on 1 September and is now Apple’s executive chair.
Cook said he and Ternus have an incredible level of trust in each other. His own focus is now worldwide policy and Apple’s dealings with governments, which he said helps Ternus. “I’m not meddling. I’m not a meddler,” he said.
His advice to Ternus was to make the job his own and spend his time where he can add the most value. “That means don’t mimic me. Just like I didn’t mimic Steve,” Cook said. He added that the transition started years ago and has gone exactly the way he had envisioned.
Cook also explained why he left before the iPhone Duo launch on 23 October rather than presenting it himself: “I wanted John to have some wind at his back.” Ternus has already been reported to be taking a hands-on role in design, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.