Airtel will see Shashwat Sharma taking on the responsibilities of MD and CEO, Airtel, in January 2026. Till then he will be CEO designate. He was till now playing COO, Airtel and will be stepping into the shoes of Gopal Vittal, the present MD and CEO, who will move to the role of executive vice chairman in January 2026.
A computer engineering graduate from Delhi College of Engineering, Shashwat Sharma completed an MBA in marketing from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad in 2005.
He began his professional journey with Hindustan Lever, where he joined as business leadership trainee, in 2005. A year later, he became area sales and customer manager, based out of Chennai. Almost three years into this role, he was elevated to regional brand manager, Domestos, Asia. In 2011 came another promotion that put him in the chair of senior brand manager, Dover and Pears, Bodywash and Liril. From 2014 to 2015, he was head of Lakme, working out of Mumbai. Within nine months, he was promoted to the position of head oral care and Ayush. His long and successful tenure at Hindustan Lever last 13 and a half years.
It was in October 2018 that his association with Airtel began, as chief marketing and brand officer, based out of Gurugram. Less than three years later, he was elevated to director-marketing and communications. In August 2022, he was promoted yet again, becoming the director for the consumer business, CEO DTH. By October 2023 he had become the chief operating officer.
Till January 2026, Sharma will be mentored and guided by Vittal to manage the entire consumer business. Vittal has been MD and CEO for the last 12 years, and will now also be part of Airtel Africa’s Board.
