Sunil Bharti Mittal takes over as Executive Chairman of Airtel

In a major restructuring of the top level management, Bharti Airtel, India's largest private mobile operator, today said that Sunil Bharti Mittal has taken over as the Executive Chairman of the company.

Manoj Kohli has been appointed as the Managing Director, while Gopal Vittal, the new CEO of Bharti Airtel's India business, has been made the Additional Director and Joint Managing Director of the company.

Bharti Airtel's founder Sunil Mittal was earlier the Chairman and Managing Director, While Kohli headed the firm's international operations as its chief executive officer.
In a communique to the BSE, Airtel said that the company has made the changes in the board of director with effect from February 1, 2013.

The filing added that Sunil Bharti Mittal has been appointed the Executive Chairman, Manoj Kohli as the Managing Director and Gopal Vittal as an Additional Director and Joint Managing Director of Bharti Airtel.

"N Kumar has retired from the Board at the conclusion of the board meeting held on February 01, 2013, after completing 11 years as a director on the Board," the filing added.

The management rejig comes at a time when the company is looking at improving profitability while increasing both 3G and 4G subscriber base.

Bharti Airtel is also grappling with uncertain regulatory environment and bleeding business in Africa.