Shashwat Sharma to assume role of managing director and CEO at Airtel

GURGAON: Shashwat Sharma will take over as managing director and chief executive officer of Airtel India from January 1, 2026, closing a year-long succession process designed to ensure continuity at one of India’s largest telecom operators. Having served as ceo-designate over the past year, Sharma has worked closely with the senior leadership team to prepare for the transition.

In his new role, Sharma will lead Airtel India’s operations and drive its next phase of growth in a fiercely competitive telecom market, where scale, customer experience and capital discipline increasingly determine winners.

Sharma brings nearly two decades of leadership experience across telecom, consumer brands and large-scale business operations. Over the past seven years at Bharti Airtel, he has held a series of senior positions, including chief operating officer, director for consumer business and ceo of the DTH unit, and chief marketing and brand officer. Across these roles, he played a central part in pushing customer-led growth, sharpening the brand and scaling operations.

Before joining Airtel, Sharma spent more than 13 years at Hindustan Unilever, where he held leadership roles across sales, regional and global brand management and category leadership. His tenure included leading the oral care and ayush businesses, giving him deep exposure to mass and premium consumer segments alike.

The appointment reflects Airtel’s preference for continuity over disruption. By grooming a ceo internally, the company has signalled confidence in its existing strategy while betting on a leader with a strong blend of operational rigour and consumer insight.

As India’s telecom market enters its next chapter, marked by consolidation, data-led services and rising customer expectations, Airtel is placing its future in familiar hands.