Bharti Airtel appoints Shashwat Sharma as MD & CEO; Gopal Vittal to Executive Vice Chairman

Bharti Airtel has appointed Shashwat Sharma as its managing director and CEO for a five year term starting 1 January 2026, formalizing a long anticipated leadership transition at India’s second largest telecom company.

The board approved Sharma’s appointment on December 18, as disclosed in a stock exchange filing. Sharma, currently CEO designate and head of Airtel’s consumer business, will succeed Gopal Vittal.

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Vittal will become executive vice chairman from January 1, overseeing Bharti Airtel and its subsidiaries while focusing on group strategy, future readiness and synergies across digital, technology, network strategy, procurement and talent.

In its filing, Airtel said Sharma has worked closely with Vittal across businesses and functions and brings extensive operational experience. He previously led the consumer business and served as COO, overseeing company wide operations.

Sharma’s promotion highlights Airtel’s focus on internal succession amid rising data demand, capital-intensive network upgrades and a push toward digital services.

Alongside the CEO change, Airtel announced a finance leadership reshuffle. Soumen Ray will become group CFO, moving up from his role as finance chief of Bharti Airtel India, which he held for four years. He will be succeeded by Akhil Garg, currently finance head at Bharti Hexacom. Both appointments take effect January 1, 2026.

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Airtel also appointed Rohit Puri as company secretary and compliance officer, replacing his current role as joint company secretary.

Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said the transition balances continuity with change and will help build on recent momentum. He also emphasized the group’s focus on delivering advanced technology and services.

The appointments come as airtel continues heavy investments in 5G, digital platforms and enterprise services, competing in a market dominated by a few large players. Investors and analysts will closely watch how the new leadership guides the company through its next growth phase.

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