Bharti Airtel has disclosed a well-organized leadership change, in which Gopal Vittal will assume the position of executive vice chairman, while Shashwat Sharma will take over as managing director and CEO starting in January 2026.   

After serving as the managing director and chief executive of Bharti Airtel for 13 years, Gopal Vittal will be transitioning to the position of executive vice chairman on January 1, 2026. This change is part of a meticulously planned leadership transition at the second-largest telecommunications operator in India.

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In his new role as vice chairman, which he assumed in October 2024 while continuing to serve as managing director, Vittal will be responsible for overseeing Bharti Airtel and its various subsidiaries.

Additionally, he will be entrusted with the responsibility of promoting synergies at the group level across digital and technology initiatives, network strategy, procurement, and talent management.   His primary focus will be on developing a comprehensive group strategy and preparing the organization for its upcoming phase of growth and expansion.

The decision paves the path for Shashwat Sharma, who is presently designated as the chief executive of the company, to assume the role of managing director and chief executive officer of Bharti Airtel India on the designated date.

 

Throughout the previous year, Sharma has collaborated extensively with Vittal in various aspects of the business, as part of a meticulously planned and effective transition process outlined by the company.

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Sharma will be directly accountable to Vittal. As a component of the extensive leadership restructuring, Soumen Ray, who currently serves as the chief financial officer for Bharti Airtel India, will assume the position of group chief financial officer, with Vittal as his superior.

Ray has held his current position for approximately four years and has been instrumental in steering the company's financial success.

Akhil Garg, the present financial controller at Bharti Airtel, is set to assume the role of chief financial officer of Bharti Airtel India. Having dedicated close to 12 years to the company, Garg has spearheaded various strategic endeavors, such as the Hexacom IPO, and will be accountable to both Sharma and Ray. 

Rohit Puri, who currently serves as the joint company secretary and compliance officer, is slated to assume the position of company secretary and compliance officer for Bharti Airtel. Meanwhile, Pankaj Tewari will retain his position as group company secretary, overseeing leadership and operations at the group level.

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Mittal stated that Airtel's management team employs both professional diligence and an innovative mindset to provide technology and services to a vast customer base in various markets. He expressed his anticipation of collaborating with Vittal and the leadership team in achieving the company's goal of establishing itself as a premier global telecommunications entity.