Editor
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Airtel Africa, was on 29 February 2023 awarded Honorary Knighthood, the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), by King Charles III. This prestigious honor recognizes Mittal’s exceptional contributions to promoting India-UK business relations.
The KBE, one of the highest civilian honors bestowed by the British Sovereign, is granted in an honorary capacity to foreign nationals for their outstanding achievements and service.
Mr. Mittal’s significant contributions to fostering India-UK business ties include his pivotal role in the listing of Airtel Africa on the London Stock Exchange in 2019, where it is a constituent of the prestigious FTSE100 Index. Additionally, he spearheaded the revival of OneWeb (now Eutelsat), leading a consortium with the UK Government and other strategic investors to offer satellite broadband services globally.
As a member of the India-UK CEO Forum, Mr. Mittal has been honored with the title of Honorary Doctor of Civil Law from Newcastle University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Leeds. He is also a valued member of the Vice Chancellor’s Circle of Advisors at the University of Cambridge. Furthermore, Mr. Mittal has served on the Governing Body of the London Business School (LBS) and as a Member of the India Advisory Group at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Expressing his gratitude for the prestigious recognition, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Airtel Africa, stated, “I am deeply humbled by this gracious recognition from His Majesty, King Charles. UK and India share a rich history, and I am committed to fostering even stronger ties between our two nations. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the UK Government for their support and dedication to fostering an environment conducive to business growth, making the UK an attractive investment destination.”
The award of Honorary Knighthood to Sunil Bharti Mittal underscores his unwavering dedication to enhancing economic and bilateral trade relationships between the United Kingdom and India, marking a new chapter in the enduring partnership between the two great nations.
