New Delhi: Bharti Airtel has finalised its top leadership transition, appointing Shashwat Sharma as managing director and chief executive officer with effect from January 1, 2026.
The decision was approved by the board on December 18 and disclosed in a stock exchange filing, formalising a succession process that had been signalled over the past year. Sharma, currently CEO-designate and head of Airtel’s consumer business, will succeed Gopal Vittal at the end of his term.
Vittal will move into the role of executive vice chairman from the same date. In this capacity, he will oversee Bharti Airtel and its subsidiaries, with responsibilities covering group strategy, digital initiatives, network planning, procurement and talent management.
Sharma has been part of Airtel’s senior leadership for several years and has held key operational roles, including chief operating officer. His elevation reflects Airtel’s preference for internal succession as the telecom sector navigates sustained growth in data consumption, high capital spending on network expansion and a sharper push towards digital and enterprise services.
Alongside the CEO transition, Airtel announced changes in its finance leadership. Soumen Ray has been appointed group chief financial officer, while Akhil Garg will take over as chief financial officer of Bharti Airtel India. Both appointments will take effect from January 1, 2026. Rohit Puri has been named company secretary and compliance officer.
The leadership overhaul comes as Airtel continues to invest in 5G rollout, digital platforms and enterprise offerings in a market marked by limited large players and intensifying competition.
