The GSMA revealed former Vodafone executive Vivek Badrinath (pictured) will take the hot seat as director-general of the GSMA from Mats Granryd who will depart at the end of March 2025 after MWC Barcelona.
The industry body stated Badrinath will take over and become a member of the GSMA board effective April 1st, 2025. The new director general was regional Vodafone CEO of Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific in 2016 until 2020 and became a member of the British operator group’s executive committee.
Prior to this he held key roles at Orange culminating in his appointment as Deputy CEO and was in charge of innovation, marketing, and technology for the French group. He also held other leadership roles, notably as CEO and chairman of the board at Vantage Towers and is a non-executive board member at Axian Telecom.
“I am delighted to announce Vivek Badrinath’s appointment.” said José María Álvarez-Pallete López, Chairman of the GSMA. “During our selection process it was clear that Vivek's deep understanding of the industry and its potential make him the ideal individual to lead the GSMA into the next phase of its evolution. I am confident that Vivek will work, together with the Board and our excellent GSMA Leadership Team, to drive change and innovation, creating value for both the industry and society.”
“I’m proud and honoured to be joining the GSMA at such an exciting time in the industry’s development,” said Badrinath. “I look forward to working with the GSMA Board, its Members, and the Leadership Team to extend and amplify the positive impact of the mobile ecosystem for people, industry and society globally.”
