Tue Oct 29 08:42:54 UTC 2024: ## Airtel Announces Leadership Changes, Restructuring Plans

**New Delhi, October 28, 2023** – Bharti Airtel has announced significant leadership changes and a restructuring plan, taking effect from April 1, 2025. These moves aim to ensure a smooth transition and continued growth for the telecom giant.

**Shashwat Sharma** will be appointed as MD & CEO of Bharti Airtel on January 1, 2026, succeeding current CEO **Gopal Vittal**, who will transition to the role of Executive Vice Chairman. Sharma, currently COO, has been appointed CEO designate and will oversee the consumer business, including mobility, home, and DTH.

Vittal, who has led Airtel for the past 12 years, will mentor Sharma and also take on broader telecom responsibilities across the group, including a board position at Airtel Africa Plc.

The restructuring plan includes decoupling DTH from the converged entertainment category, creating two separate categories: Connected Homes (Broadband and Converged Entertainment) and DTH. Connected Homes will focus on growth, while DTH will aim for efficiency.

Other key changes include the creation of a standalone Customer Experience function headed by **Shivan Bhargava**, and new appointments for **Siddharth Sharma**, **Pushpinder Gujral**, and **Amit Tripathi**.

Bharti Airtel Chairman **Sunil Bharti Mittal** expressed confidence in the succession plan, highlighting the company’s strong track record of structured leadership transitions. He praised Airtel’s talented management team and commitment to delivering superior customer service.

These changes mark a significant shift for Airtel, signaling a continued focus on growth and innovation within the telecom landscape.

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