Ritesh Kumar

With over three decades of leadership in the global telecommunications industry, he is recognised for driving transformational change, sustainable growth, and digital innovation that empowers economies and communities.

Before joining Smart Axiata, Ritesh served as Director & Chief Commercial Officer of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH). His career spans senior leadership roles across Asia, including Chief Commercial Officer at VEON Bangladesh, Circle CEO at Bharti Airtel India, Strategic Project Head at Telenor Asia, and key leadership positions in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh and Indonesia. These roles have equipped him with deep expertise in market turnarounds, growth strategies, and leveraging technology as a catalyst for national development.

A people-oriented and innovation-driven leader, Ritesh believes in collaboration, inclusivity and simplicity in execution. He is deeply committed to developing future leaders, nurturing local talent, and building resilient organisations that create lasting value for society and the economy.