telecommunication Service provider Bharti Airtel on Monday announced changes at the top level, saying that its Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gopal Vittal will take over the role of Executive Vice Chairman from January 1, 2026. Whereas Shashwat Sharma will assume the responsibility of the new MD and CEO of the company from that date. Vittal has been on the post of MD and CEO of Bharti Airtel for the last 12 years. “As part of a streamlined succession process, Gopal is being appointed as the Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel Limited in addition to taking over as Managing Director,” Airtel said in a statement issued along with the announcement of its September quarter results. In this role, he will take on broader responsibilities across the group while continuing to lead the India business.”
Vitthal will also be on the board of Airtel Africa
Vittal will also be appointed Director on the Board of Directors of Airtel Africa Plc to provide strategic guidance. He will take over the role of Executive Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel Limited on January 1, 2026. Sharma, who was declared Vittal's successor, is currently the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company. He will be appointed MD and CEO of Bharti Airtel Limited on January 1, 2026. Sharma is being appointed CEO-designate of the company with the intention of preparing him for the new role. As CEO-designate, he will be responsible for the entire consumer business.
Rajan Bharti Mittal returns to Airtel
Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Mittal said Airtel has a distinguished record of thoughtful succession planning. Mittal said, “I am extremely pleased with the leadership succession and transformation plans at Airtel. There could not have been a better time to announce the new arrangement for Airtel. Rakesh Bharti Mittal, who has been associated with Airtel for nine years, will be included on the board of directors of Indus Towers Limited and Bharti Hexacom Limited. At the same time, Rajan Bharti Mittal has returned to Airtel by becoming the nominee of Bharti Board with immediate effect. According to the statement, Amit Tripathi, currently director of marketing and customer experience, will be appointed director (market operations), leading all circles and distribution strategy. At the same time, DTH CEO Siddharth Sharma will be appointed Director of Marketing and CEO of Connected Homes. In his place, Upper North Zone CEO Pushpinder Gujral will be appointed CEO and Director of DTH.
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