Udaipur. Bharti Airtel has announced a key change in its top leadership as part of a structured and well-planned succession strategy. After leading the company for the past 13 years as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Gopal Vittal was appointed Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel Limited in October 2024, while Shravin Sharma (Shashwat Sharma) was named CEO Designate.

In line with the predefined succession plan, Gopal Vittal will assume the role of Executive Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel effective January 1, 2026. In this new position, he will oversee Bharti Airtel and all its subsidiary companies. He will also drive group-level alignment across key areas such as digital and technology initiatives, network strategy, procurement, and talent management. Additionally, Vittal will focus on shaping the group’s long-term strategy and preparing the organization to meet future business requirements.

Following a smooth and well-executed transition process, Shashwat Sharma will take charge as Managing Director and CEO of Bharti Airtel India from January 1, 2026. As CEO Designate, Sharma has worked closely with Gopal Vittal over the past 12 months across various aspects of the business to ensure full preparedness for the role. In his new capacity, Shashwat Sharma will report to Gopal Vittal.

This leadership transition underscores Bharti Airtel’s commitment to continuity, strong governance, and future-ready growth.

Source: