Who is Srini Gopalan? Indian-origin T-Mobile CEO takes charge amid H-1B clampdown – The Times of India
At a time when the Trump administration is immobilizing the movement of Indian students and professionals to the United States under pressure from MAGA hardliners, US telecom major T-Mobile rang a different tune, elevating Srini Gopalan, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, as its Chief Executive Officer. Gopalan, 55, who is currently the Chief Operating Officer of T-Mobile, will take over on November 1, 2025 from Mike Sievert, who has led the company since 2020 and is being promoted as vice-chairman.Despite tightening H-1B visa regulations and increasing scrutiny on foreign professionals, talent and experience remain key drivers for American companies seeking strategic growth. Srini Gopalan’s journey from India’s academic corridors to the helm of one of the United States’ leading telecom firms reflects a career built on consistent performance and international exposure.
Education and early foundations
Srini Gopalan began his academic journey at Delhi Public School, R. K. Puram, where he studied between 1985 and 1987. He went on to pursue a postgraduate degree at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad from 1990 to 1992. IIM Ahmedabad, one of India’s premier management institutes, is known for shaping leaders with a strong grasp of strategy, operations, and organizational management. Gopalan’s education provided a foundation for a career that would span multiple continents and industries.
Early career in India
Gopalan started his professional journey at Unilever India as an Area Sales Manager from 1992 to 1995. He then joined Accenture as a Senior Manager, a role he held for four years, where he honed his skills in consultancy and corporate management. These early experiences exposed him to the mechanics of large organizations and the importance of process efficiency and team leadership.
Move to international markets
In 1999, Gopalan moved to the United Kingdom to join Capital One. Over nearly a decade, he advanced from Senior Vice President, Head of UK Card, to Managing Director UK. This period allowed him to gain critical insights into financial services, consumer behavior, and strategic planning at a global scale.Gopalan then transitioned into the telecom sector. In 2009, he became Chief Marketing Officer at T-Mobile UK, playing a key role in the joint venture between T-Mobile UK and Orange to form Everything Everywhere. Following this, he served as Consumer Director at Vodafone from 2010 to 2013 and then at Bharti Airtel from 2013 to 2016. At Airtel, he was responsible for the consumer business, which included broadband, satellite television, and mobile communications, and helped position the company through innovative offerings in a highly price-sensitive market.
Leadership in Europe and Deutsche Telekom
From 2016 to 2020, Gopalan served as Board Member responsible for Europe at Deutsche Telekom. In this capacity, he oversaw operations in Greece, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Romania, Austria, Macedonia, and Montenegro. In 2020, he was appointed Board Member for Germany and Managing Director at Telekom Deutschland GmbH, a role he held until February 2025. These positions cemented his reputation as a leader capable of managing complex operations across diverse markets.
T-Mobile and the CEO role
Gopalan joined T-Mobile in the United States as Chief Operating Officer in March 2025. He has been instrumental in shaping the company’s operational strategy and driving innovation. In his LinkedIn announcement, he emphasized the company’s culture, highlighting employees’ focus on removing customer pain points and the team’s commitment to delivering excellence.As CEO, Gopalan inherits a company renowned for its customer-centric approach and strong digital and network capabilities. Under his leadership, T-Mobile aims to consolidate its position as a leading telecom provider while continuing to innovate in network services and digital solutions. His appointment comes as a strong statement amid restrictive immigration policies, signaling that global talent will remain a cornerstone of US corporate growth.Gopalan’s career trajectory reflects disciplined growth, cross-continental expertise, and a commitment to operational excellence. From his early days in India to leading one of America’s most innovative telecom companies, his journey is a testament to skill, adaptability, and vision in an increasingly competitive global landscape.(with inputs from agencies)
