Apple is preparing for one of its biggest executive reshuffles in years, with Tim Cook set to step down as chief executive later this year and longtime hardware executive John Ternus expected to take over the top job.

Alongside the leadership transition, the company is also restructuring its internal hardware divisions in a move aimed at accelerating product development and improving coordination between teams.

As part of the overhaul, Johny Srouji has been appointed Apple’s new Chief Hardware Officer. The role combines oversight of the company’s hardware engineering and hardware technologies groups, bringing Apple Silicon development closer to the teams designing finished products.

The restructuring is expected to give Srouji broader influence across the company’s future device roadmap as Apple attempts to streamline development cycles and speed up innovation.

One of the first major changes under the new structure involves senior executive Kate Bergeron, who will hand day-to-day product design management to two deputies while shifting her focus towards product reliability and materials development.

Johny Srouji, Apple’s chief hardware office.

apple.com/au

Tom Marleb will also take on a larger role, succeeding John Ternus as head of the hardware engineering division following Ternus’ promotion to chief executive.

The wider reshuffle reportedly expands responsibilities for several senior staff members as Apple attempts to modernise internal workflows after years of criticism surrounding slower product launches and delayed projects.

Industry observers have increasingly questioned Apple’s pace of innovation in recent years, particularly after products such as the cancelled AirPower wireless charging mat failed to reach market despite being publicly announced.

The company is also facing mounting pressure from rivals including Samsung and Google, both of which have aggressively accelerated development in artificial intelligence, foldable devices and next-generation hardware categories.

Apple is expected to reveal more details about its future strategy under the new leadership structure later this year.