Bharti Airtel names Shashwat Sharma as MD & CEO from January 2026

Bharti Airtel has appointed Shashwat Sharma as its managing director and chief executive officer for a five-year term, effective January 1, 2026, formalising a long-signalled leadership transition at India’s second-largest telecom operator.

The appointment was approved by the company’s board on December 18 and disclosed in a stock exchange filing. Sharma, who is currently CEO designate and leads Airtel’s consumer business, will succeed Gopal Vittal, the filing said.

Vittal will move to the role of executive vice chairman from the same date, overseeing Bharti Airtel and its subsidiaries while focusing on group strategy, future readiness and synergies across digital, technology, network strategy, procurement and talent, the company said.

In its filing, Airtel said Sharma has worked closely with Vittal across businesses and functions and brings deep operational experience to the role. He previously led the consumer business and served as chief operating officer, with responsibility for company-wide operations.

Sharma’s elevation underscores Airtel’s preference for internal succession at a time when the telecom sector is navigating rising data consumption, capital-intensive network upgrades and a push towards digital services.

Alongside the top management changes, Airtel announced a reshuffle in its finance leadership. Soumen Ray has been appointed group chief financial officer, succeeding his role as finance chief of Bharti Airtel India, which he held for the past four years.

Ray will be succeeded by Akhil Garg, currently the finance head of Bharti Hexacom, with both appointments taking effect from January 1, 2026, the company said.

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

Commenting on the changes, Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman of Bharti Airtel, said the leadership transition balanced continuity with change and would help the company build on recent momentum. He added that the group’s focus remained on delivering advanced technology and services across its markets.

The appointments come as Airtel continues to invest heavily in 5G rollout, digital platforms and enterprise services, while competing in a market dominated by a small number of large players. Investors and analysts will watch closely how the new leadership team steers the company through its next phase of growth.