Shashwat Sharma: A perfect blend of marketing finesse & operational acumen

Bharti Airtel on Monday named Shashwat Sharma as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. In his 40s, Sharma combines strategic marketing expertise with a strong focus on customer-centric innovation, as he believes, “Everyone from the top to the bottom answers to one boss: our customer.”

Shashwat Sharma joined Bharti Airtel in 2018 as Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, later advancing to Director of Consumer Business, and subsequently taking the helm as CEO of Direct-To-Home (DTH) services. His October 2023 promotion to Chief Operating Officer further solidified his reputation as a dynamic leader, capable of driving growth through marketing finesse and operational acumen.

As CMO, he spearheaded the #AirtelThanks campaign, transforming Airtel’s brand positioning to one of inclusivity and digital access, enhancing customer engagement with personalised services and exclusive offers. His leadership has been characterised by a focus on delivering value-driven, human connections. Under his leadership, Airtel is poised to deepen its customer engagement strategy, address emerging digital needs, and reinforce its presence in both urban and rural markets.

Before joining Airtel, Sharma spent 13 years at Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), where he led high-profile brands such as Closeup, Pepsodent, Dove, and Lakme. During his tenure, he launched Lever Ayush, an Ayurvedic brand that gained substantial traction within a year. Sharma’s expertise extended beyond India as he managed the brand Domestos across Asia, driving a €100 million expansion into new markets. His tenure at HUL equipped him with a deep understanding of market nuances across Asia and a knack for building trust with local consumers—a principle he has continued to champion at Airtel.

Sharma’s background in consumer goods has endowed him with a strong instinct for brand building and adeptness in P&L management, skills that have proven invaluable in the telecom industry. Academically, he holds a degree in Computer Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering and is an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad.