New Delhi, Dec 18 (NationPress) Bharti Airtel has made significant changes in its senior leadership team on Thursday, with the board endorsing several crucial appointments in management. Among these, Shashwat Sharma has been named the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of Airtel India.

Sharma's new role is set to commence on January 1, 2026, as confirmed by the telecom company in a filing to the exchange. Currently designated as CEO, he will serve a five-year term, pending approval from shareholders, and will be recognized as a key managerial personnel within the organization.

"We are pleased to announce that following the recommendations from the HR & Nomination Committee, the Board of Directors has sanctioned the appointment of Shashwat Sharma (currently serving as CEO Designate) as Managing Director and CEO of Airtel India and Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) of the company effective from January 1, 2026 for a duration of five years, subject to shareholder approval," stated the telecom company in its exchange filing.

The decisions were ratified during Airtel's board meeting held on December 18, based on the recommendations from the HR and Nomination Committee, as per the company’s exchange filing.

Moreover, the board has also approved the appointment of Gopal Vittal as Executive Vice Chairman. Vittal, who is presently the Vice Chairman and Managing Director, will transition to this new role as a whole-time director starting on January 1, 2026, for a five-year term, contingent upon shareholder approval.

Additionally, Somen Ray, the current Chief Financial Officer, has been promoted to Group Chief Financial Officer, while Akhil Garg will take over as Chief Financial Officer for Airtel India.

The board also sanctioned changes within the compliance function, appointing Rohit Krishan Puri as Company Secretary and Compliance Officer effective from January 1, 2026. Pankaj Tewari will maintain his role as Group Company Secretary, overseeing leadership at the group level.