Telecom giant Bharti Airtel has announced key leadership changes effective from January 2026. Shashwat Sharma, the current Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of Managing Director and CEO on January 1, 2026, succeeding Gopal Vittal, who will transition to Executive Vice Chairman.

Starting immediately, Sharma, as CEO designate, will oversee Airtel’s consumer segments, including mobility, home, and DTH services, while Vittal continues to manage enterprise and HR functions.

As part of a strategic restructuring set for April 1, 2025, Airtel will also divide its digital television (DTH) and broadband services. The new “Connected Homes” category will focus on broadband and entertainment, while DTH will operate as a separate unit, aimed at efficiency and competitiveness. Additionally, Airtel will establish Customer Experience as an independent function, with Shivan Bhargava stepping in as Director of Customer Experience. Siddharth Sharma, currently CEO of DTH, will transition to Director of Marketing and CEO of Connected Homes. Meanwhile, Pushpinder Gujral, CEO of Upper North, will become CEO and Director of DTH. Amit Tripathi, presently Director of Marketing and Customer Experience, will take on the role of Director of Market Operations. All four leaders will report to Shashwat Sharma starting April 2025.

Senior executives Sharat Sinha, Randeep Sekhon, Soumen Ray, and others will continue their roles, reporting to Vittal.