Sunil Mittal to step down as Airtel Payments Bank chair; Shabnam Sinha to take over
Mittal was appointed non-executive chairman of Airtel Payments Bank in April 2016. During his tenure, the bank expanded its reach across both urban and rural India and built a large network of banking points.
Airtel Payments Bank is set for a change at the top, with founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises Sunil Bharti Mittal stepping down as its non-executive chairman. He will also leave the bank’s board on September 30, 2026.
Shabnam Sinha, currently an independent director on the bank’s board, will take over as chairperson from October 1 for a three-year term. Her appointment has been approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
MITTAL TO STEP DOWN AFTER A DECADE
Mittal was appointed non-executive chairman of Airtel Payments Bank in April 2016. During his tenure, the bank expanded its reach across both urban and rural India and built a large network of banking points.
Mittal said it had been a privilege to watch the bank grow from an initiative focused on accessibility into an institution serving millions of customers across the country.
He expressed confidence that Sinha would build on the foundation laid by the bank and take it into its next phase of growth.
SINHA BRINGS THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE
Sinha has been an independent director at Airtel Payments Bank and currently chairs its Special Committee for Monitoring Frauds. She is also a member of the Risk Management and IT Committees.
She brings more than three decades of experience across development finance, financial services, public policy and institutional transformation.
Her career includes a stint at the World Bank, where she advised governments and institutions across Asia, Africa and Europe on governance, risk management and operational effectiveness.
Sinha said digital financial services were becoming an important part of India’s inclusive growth story. She said she would work with the board and management to build on the bank’s existing momentum and expand its reach among customers and communities.
The leadership change comes as Airtel Payments Bank enters its next phase, with digital banking and financial inclusion becoming increasingly important to India's financial services landscape.
Airtel Payments Bank is set for a change at the top, with founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises Sunil Bharti Mittal stepping down as its non-executive chairman. He will also leave the bank’s board on September 30, 2026.
Shabnam Sinha, currently an independent director on the bank’s board, will take over as chairperson from October 1 for a three-year term. Her appointment has been approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
MITTAL TO STEP DOWN AFTER A DECADE
Mittal was appointed non-executive chairman of Airtel Payments Bank in April 2016. During his tenure, the bank expanded its reach across both urban and rural India and built a large network of banking points.
Mittal said it had been a privilege to watch the bank grow from an initiative focused on accessibility into an institution serving millions of customers across the country.
He expressed confidence that Sinha would build on the foundation laid by the bank and take it into its next phase of growth.
SINHA BRINGS THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE
Sinha has been an independent director at Airtel Payments Bank and currently chairs its Special Committee for Monitoring Frauds. She is also a member of the Risk Management and IT Committees.
She brings more than three decades of experience across development finance, financial services, public policy and institutional transformation.
Her career includes a stint at the World Bank, where she advised governments and institutions across Asia, Africa and Europe on governance, risk management and operational effectiveness.
Sinha said digital financial services were becoming an important part of India’s inclusive growth story. She said she would work with the board and management to build on the bank’s existing momentum and expand its reach among customers and communities.
The leadership change comes as Airtel Payments Bank enters its next phase, with digital banking and financial inclusion becoming increasingly important to India's financial services landscape.
Airtel Payments Bank is set for a change at the top, with founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises Sunil Bharti Mittal stepping down as its non-executive chairman. He will also leave the bank’s board on September 30, 2026.
Shabnam Sinha, currently an independent director on the bank’s board, will take over as chairperson from October 1 for a three-year term. Her appointment has been approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
MITTAL TO STEP DOWN AFTER A DECADE
Mittal was appointed non-executive chairman of Airtel Payments Bank in April 2016. During his tenure, the bank expanded its reach across both urban and rural India and built a large network of banking points.
Mittal said it had been a privilege to watch the bank grow from an initiative focused on accessibility into an institution serving millions of customers across the country.
He expressed confidence that Sinha would build on the foundation laid by the bank and take it into its next phase of growth.
SINHA BRINGS THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE
Sinha has been an independent director at Airtel Payments Bank and currently chairs its Special Committee for Monitoring Frauds. She is also a member of the Risk Management and IT Committees.
She brings more than three decades of experience across development finance, financial services, public policy and institutional transformation.
Her career includes a stint at the World Bank, where she advised governments and institutions across Asia, Africa and Europe on governance, risk management and operational effectiveness.
Sinha said digital financial services were becoming an important part of India’s inclusive growth story. She said she would work with the board and management to build on the bank’s existing momentum and expand its reach among customers and communities.
The leadership change comes as Airtel Payments Bank enters its next phase, with digital banking and financial inclusion becoming increasingly important to India's financial services landscape.
