Bharti Airtel names Gopal Vittal executive vice chairman in leadership reshuffle

Details: Manny Pham; Category: Operators; 19 December 2025; 9594 views

Bharti Airtel has promoted chief executive Gopal Vittal to executive vice chairman as part of a wider reshuffle of its senior leadership.

Vittal, who has served as managing director and CEO of the Indian operator for 13 years, will take up the new role on January 1. He will oversee Bharti Airtel and its subsidiaries, with responsibility for group-wide digital and technology operations, network strategy, procurement and talent.

In addition, Vittal will focus on overall group strategy as the company prepares for its next phase of growth.

Shashwat Sharma has been appointed managing director and CEO, effective from the start of the new year, and will report to Vittal.

The company also announced several senior finance appointments. India CFO Soumen Ray has been promoted to group CFO after four years in the role, while financial controller Akhil Garg will succeed him as India CFO. Joint company secretary and compliance officer Rohit Puri will take on the same responsibilities at group level.

Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said he looked forward to working with Vittal and the wider management team as the company continues to expand its global operations.