MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel has appointed Siddharth Sharma as director of marketing and CEO of connected homes. Sharma, who assumed the dual role in December 2024, brings nearly two decades of experience in the telecommunications and aviation sectors.
In his role as director of marketing (CMO), he will spearhead customer-led growth strategy, marketing initiatives, product innovation, brand management, and corporate communications across Airtel's diverse portfolio. His remit encompasses mobile, broadband, TV, enterprise, and digital services for both B2C and B2B segments.
Simultaneously, as CEO of connected homes, Sharma will lead what is currently the fastest-growing category in the telecom sector, with full profit and loss accountability. He will oversee strategy development and execution, operational excellence, and innovation to scale the business, whilst managing cross-functional teams across technology, product, and go-to-market initiatives.
Prior to his current appointment, Sharma served as CEO of Airtel's DTH Business from October 2023 to December 2024, where he led Airtel Digital TV with full P&L responsibility. He previously held the position of chief marketing officer at Airtel from November 2022 to October 2023.
His international experience includes a three-year stint at Singtel in Singapore, where he served as head of mobile marketing & analytics from 2016 to 2019. During his tenure, he managed a P&L exceeding £1.2 billion and led a team of over 75 professionals, including nine directors.
His achievements at Singtel included launching GOMO, a digital-only brand, and establishing a world-class data and intelligence practice.
His career history also includes various leadership positions at Airtel between 2008 and 2016, including senior vice president of marketing and head of post-paid Business. Sharma began his career in the aviation sector with Jet Airways, before moving to BPL Mobile, where he served as manager of corporate sales.
The appointment comes as Airtel continues to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving telecommunications market, with a particular focus on connected homes and digital services. Industry analysts view this dual appointment as a strategic move to integrate marketing excellence with operational leadership in one of the company's fastest-growing segments.
