In Short:
Vivek Badrinath has been appointed as the new Director General of the GSMA, effective April 1, 2025. He will succeed Mats Granryd, who will step down after MWC Barcelona 2025 and become a Special Advisor. Badrinath, with extensive experience in telecom leadership, aims to enhance the mobile ecosystem’s positive impact globally. His past roles include CEO at Vantage Towers and executive positions at Vodafone and Orange.
NEW DELHI: The global telecom industry association, GSMA, has announced the appointment of Vivek Badrinath as its new Director General and Board member, effective April 1, 2025.
This decision comes in light of the previous announcement made on June 4, 2024, regarding Mats Granryd stepping down from his role as Director General following the conclusion of MWC Barcelona 2025. Granryd will fulfill his duties until the end of March 2025 and will then transition to the position of Special Advisor to the Board for the remainder of that year.
Statements on the Appointment
Chairman of the GSMA, José María Álvarez-Pallete López, expressed his enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, “I am delighted to announce Vivek Badrinath’s appointment. I am confident that Vivek will work closely with the Board and our exceptional GSMA Leadership Team to drive change and innovation, creating value for both the industry and society.”
In response, Badrinath conveyed, “I’m proud and honoured to be joining the GSMA at such an exciting time in the industry’s development. I look forward to collaborating 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.”
Vivek Badrinath’s Career Background
Badrinath has an extensive background in leadership roles, including his recent position as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Management Board at Vantage Towers AG. Additionally, he served as the Regional CEO of Africa, Middle East, and Asia Pacific at Vodafone, where he was also a member of the Executive Committee.
Before his tenure at Vodafone, Badrinath held various significant roles at Orange, where he ultimately served as Deputy CEO for Innovation, Marketing, and Technology. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in driving digital transformation, expanding market reach, and enhancing customer experience.
