InMobi appoints Hema Namburi as Group CFO ahead of planned Indian IPO

The Board of Directors of Equitas Small Finance Bank Ltd has approved the appointment of Balaji Nutalapadi as the bank's interim Chief Executive Officer, subject to approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

This decision was made based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. The appointment follows the departure of P. N. Vasudevan from his roles as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank.

Vasudevan's departure was attributed to investor concerns regarding a potential conflict of interest arising from his daughter's connection with a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC).

As an executive, Nutalapadi has made significant contributions to the development of the bank's digital capabilities, technology modernization, and enhancement of operational efficiency.

Prior to joining Equitas Small Finance Bank, he worked for 28 years at Citi, holding positions such as Managing Director and Head of Citi Solutions centers in India, as well as Head of Operations and Technology in India.

He worked in various regions across Asia, Europe, West Asia, and Africa (EMEA), taking on roles related to asset sales, wealth management, reengineering, consumer operations, technology, and leading global centers of excellence. Furthermore, he oversaw the expansion of Citi's global hubs in India.

Nutalapadi's assumption of office will take place on the date of RBI approval or any other date set by the central bank. Equitas stated that it will ensure a smooth transition to maintain stability among stakeholders and investors.

The Board of Directors expressed gratitude to Vasudevan for his contribution and leadership during his tenure. The bank will determine Vasudevan's release date after receiving RBI approval for the interim CEO appointment and following consultations with him.

Additionally, the bank has initiated the search process for a permanent successor and will submit its recommendation to the RBI in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. In its statement, Equitas emphasized its commitment to strategic priorities, business goals, and the mission of providing inclusive, responsible, and customer-centric banking services, as well as its intention to strengthen client relationships and create sustainable value for all stakeholders.

The GSMA Board of Directors has re-elected Gopal Vitthal, Executive Vice President of Bharti Airtel, to the position of Chairman for a second term, extending his leadership of the global telecommunications body until December 2028.

Vitthal, who has been part of the GSMA Board for ten years, including his chairmanship since 2025, will lead the organization during its 2027–2028 Board term. GSMA represents mobile network operators and companies in the broader mobile ecosystem.

Additionally, the Board elected Margareta Della Valle, CEO of Vodafone Group, as Co-Chair, and Ralph Mupitu, President and CEO of MTN Group, who was re-elected to this role.

Telecom Security, AI, and Advanced Networks in Focus

Following his re-election, Vitthal noted that the telecommunications industry is entering a new phase driven by advanced networks, artificial intelligence (AI), and open digital platforms, with security becoming a key priority.

Vitthal stated: 'I am honored to have been re-elected as Chairman of the GSMA Board for a second time. As an industry, we are entering a new era where advanced networks, AI, and open digital platforms can create significant economic and social value.'

He defined security as the industry's main challenge, emphasizing the need to protect countries from growing threats, ensure customer safety from fraud, and maintain the financial stability of telecom operators to support further investment in technology and infrastructure.

He added: 'Our top priority is security. Ensuring the security of nations amid increased threats today, ensuring customer safety amidst rising fraud risks, and ensuring industry resilience so it can continue to make forward-looking investments in technology and build better infrastructure across the globe.'

Vitthal also welcomed the appointments of Mupitu and Della Valle, noting that their experience, geographical reach, and understanding will strengthen the organization's efforts.

He concluded: 'I look forward to continuing this important work with the GSMA team and my fellow Board members. I also look forward to working alongside our Co-Chairs, Ralph Mupitu and Margareta Della Valle. Their experience, geographical reach, and insight will be a great strength as we move this agenda forward.'

Gopal Vitthal's Role at Bharti Airtel

As Executive Vice President of Bharti Airtel, Vitthal oversees the company and its subsidiaries, guiding group strategy and synergy in digital technologies, network strategy, procurement, and talent.

He also serves as Non-Executive Chairman of Airtel Africa and Airtel Payments Bank, in addition to being a Non-Executive Director on the board of BT Group.

Under his leadership, Airtel has expanded its portfolio of mobile, home broadband, business-to-business (B2B), and digital services, achieving the highest market share by revenue in India's competitive telecom market, according to the company.

Ralph Mupitu and Margareta Della Valle Appointed as Co-Chairs

Mupitu has held the position of President and CEO of MTN Group since September 2020, previously serving as the group's Chief Financial Officer. He was a GSMA Vice-Chairman starting in April 2025.

He is also a member of the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development and the founder of the Global AI Commission for the World Telecommunication Union.

At MTN, Mupitu leads the company's Ambition 2030 strategy, which focuses on expanding connectivity, financial technology, and digital infrastructure across Africa.

Della Valle has been the CEO of Vodafone Group since January 2023, after serving as the group's CFO from 2018. She led the transformation of the telecom operator aimed at simplifying and strengthening its business.

Shuhrat Bahodirovich Abdulvaliev has been appointed as the deputy director of the Agency for Insolvency under the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan. This appointment was officially formalized by an order signed by the Minister of Justice.

Prior to this, Abdulvaliev gained experience working in the banking and financial sectors. He held various positions at the National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of Uzbekistan and the Central Bank.

During his career, he worked at the branch of the National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity in Yunusabad, as well as in departments of the Central Bank responsible for accounting and reporting, licensing and regulation of credit institutions, and prudential supervision. During his employment, he advanced from specialist to department head.

Starting in September 2024, Abdulvaliev served as the acting deputy head of the Department of Prudential Banking Supervision of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. His professional experience covers financial reporting, analysis of banking activities, and prudential supervision of credit institutions.

The Ministry of Justice congratulated Abdulvaliev on his new position and wished him success in this role.