Effective April 1, Sood will take over from Pieters, who will retain a non-executive role on the company’s board.
Sood has been responsible for daily operations, managing profit and loss, together with new business development initiatives including the launch of Vodafone’s mobile payment platform in the country. He joined Vodafone India’s predecessor business – Hutchison Essar – in 2000 and has held leadership roles at Pepsi.
Pieters is the longest-serving CEO of an Indian telecoms company, according to the company.
“Marten has successfully led Vodafone India through a period of rapid evolution,” Vodafone’s Africa, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific chief Serpil Timuray said in the statement. “The business will remain in good hands with Sunil, who has also been integral to the growth of the company.”
Sood’s successor as COO will be announced in due course, said the company.
