Bharti Airtel CEO Sanjay Kapoor resigns, Gopal Vittal to take over
15 Jan 2013
Sanjay Kapoor, chief executive for India and South Asia of Bharti Airtel, India's top mobile phone operator, has resigned from the company and will leave on 28 February.
Gopal Vittal, who is currently group director of special projects, will take over as the company's India CEO, effective 1 March, the company said in a release.
"After almost 15 years of illustrious innings at Bharti Group, Sanjay Kapoor, CEO (India and South Asia), Bharti Airtel, has decided to pursue his future aspirations outside of Bharti," the company said in a statement.
"Sanjay will continue in his current role until February 28, 2013, and will be available to assist on key matters until March 31, 2013 ensuring a smooth transition process," the statement said.
Kapoor will, however, continue to be on the board of Indus Towers and Bharti Global, the statement added.
"Sanjay has had an enviable performance track record, strategic disposition, business acumen and is an inspirational leader... I wish Sanjay all the very best in his future endeavours," Bharti Airtel chairman and managing director Sunil Bharti Mittal said in the statement.
He said Gopal Vittal, who will replace Kapoor as the new CEO – India and South Asia and report to Mittal, would be responsible for Airtel's India operations.
"Gopal spent his last year understanding the new wave of mobile telephony, in particular the data space and data experience. This will be extremely relevant and valuable for the next phase of Airtel's growth. I wish him a successful and exciting journey ahead," Mittal said.