Mumbai: Kumar Mangalam Birla has stepped down as non-executive director and non-executive chairman of Vodafone Idea, the company said on Wednesday.

"The board of directors of Vodafone Idea, at its meeting held today, have accepted the request of Kumar Mangalam Birla to step down as non-executive director and non-executive chairman of the board with effect from close of business hours on 4 August 2021," Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) said in a regulatory filing.

The board has "unanimously" elected current non-executive director Himanshu Kapania as the non-executive chairman of the firm.

Kapania is a telecom industry veteran with 25 years of experience, including significant board experience in telecom companies globally. He has also served on the Global GSMA Board for two years and was also chairman of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) for two years.

"Further, based on recommendation of Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the board has appointed Sushil Agarwal, a nominee of Aditya Birla Group, as an additional director (non-executive and non-independent) with effect from 4 August 2021," VIL added.