Shashwat Sharma to take over as MD & CEO at Bharti Airtel

Bharti Airtel has announced a major leadership transition, with Managing Director & CEO Gopal Vittal set to assume the role of Executive Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel, effective January 1, 2026. In this elevated role, Vittal will oversee Bharti Airtel and all its subsidiaries, while steering group-wide synergies across digital and technology, network strategy, procurement, talent, and long-term strategic direction.

As Executive Vice Chairman, Vittal will also focus on future-proofing the organisation, ensuring Airtel is well-positioned for its next phase of growth and evolution. Vittal has served as Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel Ltd since October 2024, alongside his responsibilities as Managing Director.

Following a structured and well-planned succession process, Shashwat Sharma, currently CEO-designate, will succeed Vittal as Managing Director & CEO of Bharti Airtel India from January 1, 2026. Over the past year, Sharma has worked closely with Vittal across business verticals to ensure a seamless transition. In his new role, Sharma will report to Vittal.

The leadership changes also include key financial appointments. Soumen Ray, currently Chief Financial Officer of Bharti Airtel India, will be elevated to Group Chief Financial Officer, reporting to Vittal. Ray has played a pivotal role in strengthening Airtel’s financial performance over the past four years.

Akhil Garg, presently Financial Controller at Bharti Airtel, will take over as CFO of Bharti Airtel India. With nearly twelve years at Airtel, Garg has led multiple strategic initiatives, including the Hexacom IPO, and will report to Sharma and Ray.

On the governance front, Rohit Puri, currently Joint Company Secretary & Compliance Officer, will be appointed Company Secretary & Compliance Officer for Bharti Airtel. Pankaj Tewari will continue as Group Company Secretary, providing leadership and oversight at the group level.

Commenting on the transition, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Airtel, said, “I am extremely pleased with the succession and transition of leadership at Airtel. This is a moment where change and continuity go hand in hand. I am confident that both Gopal and Shashwat will continue to build on the strong momentum, and I look forward to working closely with them as we pursue our ambition of building the best global telecom company.”