Overview
- Airtel’s board approved the leadership appointments on December 18 for five-year terms, subject to a shareholder vote.
- The transition caps a succession process launched in 2024 to balance continuity with expanded group-level oversight.
- Shashwat Sharma, CEO-designate over the past year, will lead Airtel India and report to Executive Vice Chairman Gopal Vittal.
- Soumen Ray moves to Group Chief Financial Officer and Akhil Garg becomes CFO for Airtel India, separating group and India finance mandates.
- Rohit Krishnan Puri is appointed Company Secretary and Compliance Officer as Pankaj Tewari continues as Group Company Secretary, and Airtel shares dipped about 0.8% on the BSE after the announcement.