Bharti airtel board proposes Manoj Kohli as MD

Bharti Airtel has informed the stock exchange that Manoj Kohli would be appointed as managing director, Bharti Airtel in the meeting of the Board of Directors to be held on February 1, 2013.

Manoj Kohli will look after Bharti Airtel's international operations that include the South Asia and Africa markets. He will be assisted by Gopal Vittal who will take care of India operations.

In the same meeting, Sunil Bharti Mittal will be ratified as executive chairman from the present position of chairman and managing director, Bharti Airtel. Even Gopal Vittal will be appointed as additional director and joint managing director, Bharti Airtel.

Presently, Kohli is the CEO (International) & Joint MD, Bharti Airtel. He heads the International Business Group and is the director on the Board of Bharti Airtel. Prior to becoming CEO (International) & Joint MD, Manoj held multiple roles as CEO & Joint MD, President & CEO, Head of Mobile Services business at Bharti Airtel.

Kohli started his career in 1979 with DCM, where he initially led the HR function, followed by leadership positions in the Foods, Chemicals and Fertilizer businesses and assignments in Engineering projects, including Shriram Honda. He left as vice president, responsible for the Air Conditioning & Refrigeration business unit (now known as Tecumseh & Daikin) after a total stint of 16 years. He subsequently worked at AlliedSignal/Honeywell, where he was executive director in charge of its new Industrial Park and operations in India.

Manoj joined Escotel, which he led for over 5 years as executive director and CEO, before coming on board at Bharti Airtel.

Manoj is the chairman - Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Committee on Telecom & Broadband. He was member of the Board of GSMA in 2008. He has been the chairman of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). He was adjudged "Telecom Man of the Year" and "Telecom Person of the Year" by Media Transasia and Voice & Data magazine respectively. He is a member of the Academic Council of the Faculty of Management Studies and has been awarded the "Best Alumni Award" by SRCC, Delhi University.

Manoj holds degrees in Commerce, Law and MBA from Delhi University. Manoj also attended the "Executive Business Program" at the Michigan Business School and the "Advanced Management Program" at the Wharton Business School.