Meta reshuffles WhatsApp leadership, appoints Kunal Shah as new head

Will Cathcart has announced his departure as head of WhatsApp after nearly seven years leading the messaging platform through a period of significant expansion that saw its global user base surpass three billion.

Cathcart revealed the decision in posts shared on social media on Monday, describing WhatsApp as being in “the strongest position it’s ever been” and saying it “felt like the right moment to step back” from the role.

During his tenure, WhatsApp strengthened its position as one of the world’s most widely used messaging applications, expanding its reach across key markets and introducing new features for users and businesses.

Although he is stepping down as WhatsApp chief, Cathcart will remain within the leadership structure of Meta.

The company has appointed Kunal Shah, founder of Indian fintech firm as the new head of WhatsApp. His appointment marks a major leadership transition for the platform as it continues to focus on growth, business services and new technologies.

Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg praised the incoming WhatsApp boss, saying Shah had created “one of India’s most important technology companies” through Cred.

He added that the entrepreneur “brings the kind of builder mentality and global perspective that will serve him well in running the world’s biggest messaging app”.

“I look forward to working with Kunal to continue to make WhatsApp the best service for billions of people and millions of businesses,” Zuckerberg said.

Founded in Bengaluru, Cred has sought to shake up India’s payments sector through a members-only model that rewards customers for making timely credit card payments.

Before launching Cred in 2018, Shah worked as an investor and adviser to several start-ups across India and Southeast Asia, according to his LinkedIn profile.

In a post on Monday, Shah said he would retain his stake in Cred while assuming his new responsibilities at WhatsApp. He also revealed that the company had secured $900 million (£679 million) in funding from Meta.

According to Bloomberg, the investment gives Meta a 20% stake in the fintech company.

Shah stressed that although Meta would become a minority investor in Cred, the social media giant would have “no access to member data.