He previously served in the same role only in India, but will now be charged with taking charge of the company’s south Asia businesses. This includes operations in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and combined with India, accounts for approximately 75% of Airtel’s revenue.
Vittal will be replacing Manoj Kohli, CEO of Bharti International, who will give up the executive position but will remain on the Airtel board as a non-executive director.
Kohli will take the lead as MD of Bharti Enterprises which shifts him out of operational involvements in telecom business and gives him a role in the oversight of all non-telecom businesses of the group.
Kohli has also been appointed chairman of Bharti Airtel Netherlands, the holding company of its African operations. Christian de Faria will look after the firm’s operations in Africa as the units new MD and CEO.
The new operational structure will be effective from April 1, 2014.
“The new structure reflects the next phase of Bharti’s growth journey, which will be led by best-in-class professionals in various segments,” said Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises. “Bharti has always championed the empowerment of its people and set high standards of corporate governance. This is another step towards transforming the group from entrepreneur-led professional-backed to a professional-led entrepreneur-backed one.”
