Cambodia Investment Review
Smart Axiata announces a leadership transition in September as current CEO Ziad Shatara has been appointed to lead Robi Axiata in Bangladesh. This marks a new chapter in his distinguished career within the Axiata Group, following nearly three years of outstanding leadership at Smart.
In line with this transition, Ritesh Kumar Singh has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Smart Axiata, with his tenure officially beginning in September 2025. Until then, Ziad will continue to serve as CEO of Smart to ensure a smooth transition and operational continuity as the company continues to advance its strategic priorities.
Appreciation For Ziad’s Exceptional Leadership
Vivek Sood, Group CEO of Axiata, expressed his appreciation for Ziad’s exceptional leadership and welcomed Ritesh’s appointment: “We are pleased to announce these key leadership appointments, which underscores Axiata’s commitment to talent mobility and leveraging deep industry expertise to drive growth and innovation.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ziad for his exceptional contributions and unwavering commitment to Smart Axiata’s transformation and growth. Under his leadership, Smart has achieved remarkable milestones in operational excellence, digital innovation, and sustainable development—all while playing a vital role in supporting Cambodia’s digital progress and socio-economic advancement.
At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Ritesh as Smart Axiata’s new CEO. Ritesh’s extensive experience and proven leadership across Asia’s dynamic telecommunications landscape make him the ideal choice to lead Smart into its next chapter.”
Strong Support Throughout The Journey
Ziad Shatara, Smart’s outgoing CEO, shared his gratitude and confidence in the future: “I sincerely thank Axiata Group for their strong support throughout my journey at Smart. Above all, my deepest gratitude goes to the incredible Smart team—your passion, dedication, and resilience have driven our success and transformation.
As I hand over to Ritesh, I’m confident Smart will continue to thrive. With his leadership and this outstanding team, Smart will keep leading in digital innovation and delivering lasting impact for Cambodia.”
Ritesh is a highly respected leader with nearly 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry across Asia and Southeast Asia. He has held senior roles at VEON (Bangladesh), Bharti Airtel (India), Telenor (Asia and India), and most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer at Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (Indonesia).
Delivering Innovative, Customer-Centric Solutions
He is widely recognized for delivering innovative, customer-centric solutions and leading large-scale transformations in competitive markets. Known for successfully turning around challenging business environments, Ritesh brings sharp execution, strategic clarity, and a people-first leadership style.
His appointment reflects Smart Axiata’s continued commitment to transparent, future-focused leadership. The company is confident that, under his guidance, Smart will further strengthen its position as Cambodia’s most trusted and innovative digital operator.
As he prepares to take on the role, Ritesh shared his vision: “Smart’s core values, deep-rooted trust with our customers and partners, and unwavering commitment to innovation will continue to guide us forward. Together with the strength, passion, and talent of our exceptional Smart team, we aim to set new industry benchmarks in Cambodia while driving sustainable and inclusive growth. I firmly believe that Smart’s most exciting chapter is still ahead. With the trust we’ve earned and the dedication of our dynamic team, we will unlock the remarkable potential that lies before us.”
