​​Vodafone India, Idea announce new leadership team ahead of merger

In March last year Vodafone India and Idea Cellular announced merger of both the companies, which was expected to close last year. Earlier this week the companies said that the management team of the combined business would be confirmed prior to closing, which is now expected to complete in the first half of the current calendar year. Today they have announced the leadership team of the combined business, which will come into effect after the merger has been completed. The existing leadership teams of Idea Cellular and Vodafone India will continue to manage their separate businesses and be accountable for each company’s operational performance until the merger becomes effective. It is only upon completion of the merger that the two businesses will cease to operate as distinct and competing entities. As announced last year, Kumar Mangalam Birla will be Non-Executive Chairman of the merged company. CEO will be Balesh Sharma (currently Chief Operating Officer of Vodafone India) who will be responsible for the combined business’s strategy and its execution as well as driving integration. The following positions will report to the CEO: CFO - Akshaya Moondra, currently Chief Financial Officer at Idea. COO - Ambrish Jain, currently Deputy Managing Director at Idea, will be responsible ...