Airtel appoints Shashwat Sharma as CEO and managing director: Current CEO Gopal Vittal becomes executive vice chairman; Will take charge from January 1

Bharti Airtel announced senior leadership changes in the board meeting on Thursday. Shashwat Sharma has been made the managing director and CEO of the company. He will take charge from January 1. Whereas the current CEO Gopal Vittal has been made the Executive Vice Chairman.

Soumen Ray will become Group CFO. The company said in its exchange filing that these appointments are on the recommendation of the HR and nomination committee and are part of the planned succession process.

Shashwat Sharma has also held the post of COO in Airtel.

Shashwat Sharma used to work with Gopal Vittal

Shashwat Sharma will become MD and CEO (Airtel India) for 5 years. He has been working with Gopal Vittal since last year. Currently he is the CEO Designate and leads the Consumer Business. Earlier he was the COO and handled the operations. The company said that Shashwat has shown strong performance in every area.

Gopal Vittal will now focus on keeping the company ready for the future.

Gopal Vittal becomes executive vice chairman

Gopal Vittal will take over as Executive Vice Chairman from January 1, 2026. He will oversee the entire company and its sub-companies. Now they will increase synergy (better coordination) in things like digital, technology, network planning, purchasing and talent at the group level.

His main focus will be on making the group’s major strategy and keeping the company ready for the future. Whereas the current CFO Soumen Ray will become the Group CFO. He will report to Gopal Vittal in his new role.

Sunil Mittal said – the change happened at the right time

Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said, I am very pleased with the leadership succession and transition at Airtel. This leadership change at Airtel comes at the right time, where change and continuity will go hand in hand. I am confident that Gopal and Shashwat will continue to drive the growth of the company forward.