Mumbai: Bharti Airtel has unveiled a major leadership transition plan, with Shashwat Sharma set to take over as CEO in January 2026. Currently serving as the Chief Operations Officer (COO), Sharma will assume the role of CEO-designate, responsible for overseeing the entire consumer business, with a focus on preparing for a seamless leadership change.
Gopal Vittal, the current Managing Director & CEO of Bharti Airtel, has been instrumental in shaping the company’s growth. As part of the leadership restructuring, Gopal will step down from his position as CEO and move into the role of Vice-Chairman on 1st January 2026. Alongside this, he will continue as Managing Director, taking on expanded responsibilities for the India business and contributing to broader group-level telecom strategies.
In his new position, Gopal will also serve as a Bharti nominee director on the Board of Airtel Africa, where he will offer strategic guidance. Additionally, he will focus on key group synergies across areas such as network strategy, digital transformation, procurement, and talent development. Most notably, Gopal will mentor Shashwat Sharma as he prepares to assume the role of CEO.
The board-level changes were also announced on 28th October. Rakesh Bharti Mittal, who has served Airtel for nearly nine years, will move on to other roles, joining the boards of Indus Towers and Bharti Hexacom. He will be succeeded by Rajan Bharti Mittal, who returns to Airtel as the Bharti board nominee.
This leadership shift is part of Airtel’s long-term strategic plan to ensure a smooth transition and continued growth across its business verticals, reinforcing the company’s position as a leader in the telecom industry.
