Bharti Airtel New CEO: Change of power in Bharti Airtel! Shashwath Sharma has been appointed as the new CEO, while Gopal Vitthal has been appointed as the Vice-Chairman

• Bharti Airtel announces leadership change
• Shashwat Sharma will take charge as the Chief Executive Officer
• Promotion of Gopal Vitthal as Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel Limited

Bharti Airtel New CEO: For the past 13 years, Gopal Vitthal has ably performed the role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bharti Airtel. On October 2024, Gopal Vitthal was also appointed as the Vice-Chairman of Bharti Airtel Limited as part of the well-planned succession process of the company. As part of this change process, there have been changes in the leadership of the company. Shashwath Sharma has been appointed as the designated CEO of the company in place of Gopal Vitthal. Sharma will assume charge of this new post in the new year.

It has been announced on behalf of the company that Gopal Vitthal, who has worked successfully as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, has been promoted. From January 1, 2026, Gopal Vitthal will hold the post of Executive Vice President of the company. Gopal Vitthal will have the key responsibility of leading and overseeing the operations of all subsidiaries including Bharti Airtel Company.

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Gopal Vitthal will be involved in various decision-making processes including digital and technology related functions. This will include network strategy, procurement process for various functions and coordination of functions of various departments of Human Resources and enhancing group integration in all these processes. He will focus on setting the strategic direction of the group and enabling and equipping the organization for future changes. Gopal Vitthal’s role will be crucial to ensure future innovation, technological advancement and long-term growth.

Shashwat Sharma will take charge as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bharti Airtel India from the first day of the coming New Years. For the past year, Sharma has been thoroughly studying the preparations for the new responsibility. Sharma is the appointed Chief Executive Officer along with Gopal Vitthal who is taking full details of the upcoming appointment. Sharma has closely experienced the various operations of the company during the preparatory process itself. After assuming the new charge, he will continue to report to Gopal Vitthal.

Soumen Ray is currently working as the Chief Financial Officer of Bharti Airtel India. Soumen Ray will be appointed as Group Chief Financial Officer in the coming period. Soumen Ray will handle the new post under the guidance of Gopal Vitthal. Saumen Ray has held the position of Chief Financial Officer for the past four years with great success. He has been instrumental in enhancing the financial performance of Bharti Airtel and helping the company achieve financial stability.

Akhil Garg, who served as the company’s financial controller, has been appointed as the chief financial officer of Bharti Airtel India. Garg has been contributing significantly to the company’s operations for the past 12 years. During this period he has held important responsibilities in various departments of the company. He has successfully led large and important business projects like Hexacom IPO. Akhil Garg will handle the new post under the supervision of Shashwat Sharma and Soumen Ray.

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Currently Rohit Puri is working as Joint Company Secretary and Compliance Officer and his promotion has also been announced. Puri will now handle all operations as Company Secretary and Compliance Officer. Group Company Secretary Pankaj Tiwari will continue his leadership and supervision at the group level and under his guidance the strategic working process of the company will continue.

Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal expressed satisfaction with the change in leadership of the company. Commenting on the successful transfer of various positions in the company, he said, “I am very happy with the manner in which the process of handing over the legacy of leadership at Airtel has been carried out. There could not be a better time to bring both change and continuity together. I strongly believe that both Gopal and Shasht will continue the momentum of growth and success of the company in the future as well. I wish both of them the best for their new responsibilities.”

Mittal also assured that the company’s future is moving in the right direction. “I am proud to have a highly motivated, skilled and professional management team working in the company. We are providing the best technology and world-class services to billions of customers around the world, powered by innovative entrepreneurial skills. I look forward to working with Gopal as well as the entire team. It is our resolve to carry forward this tradition of quality, consistency and innovation as we move towards our ambition to build the best telecom company internationally. Mittal expressed his determination.