'Kunal was the clear choice': Meta's Chris Cox on WhatsApp leadership change

Meta has named Cred founder Kunal Shah as WhatsApp’s next leader, with him officially assuming the role today (June 22), according to a note by Meta chief product officer Chris Cox.
.
“Kunal built CRED into one of India’s most important technology companies, and he brings the kind of builder mentality and global perspective that will serve him well in running the world’s biggest messaging app,” Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said.

Explaining the selection, Cox wrote: “Once Will made his intentions clear, we began a search for a leader with an intuitive grasp of WhatsApp’s immense global product potential, who could navigate the shifts AI will bring, and who has the seriousness to lead the world’s largest communication service.”

“Kunal became the clear choice as we got to know him,” he added.

Kunal Shah on leadership change

Announcing the transition on X, Shah said that Miten Sampat, who has led strategy and finance at Cred since 2020, has been appointed interim CEO with immediate effect.


“I’m stepping away from the operating role and will continue as a shareholder. My commitment doesn’t change, just the role,” Shah said.

“Team CRED, I’ll still expect you to be a 10x version of yourselves,” he added.

Will Cathcart steps down as WhatsApp head

Will Cathcart also announced his departure as head of WhatsApp after nearly seven years in the role.


Confirming the move on Facebook, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said: “Will is transitioning to a new role within Meta where he’ll build new products from the ground up. I’m excited to continue to work together closely.”

In his note, Cox highlighted Cathcart’s role in expanding WhatsApp’s footprint in the US, growing multiple multibillion-dollar business lines, defending encrypted communications, combating spyware attacks, and resisting “governments who wanted backdoors”.

Zuckerberg also credited Cathcart with championing privacy across WhatsApp.

Cathcart took over as WhatsApp chief in 2019. During his tenure, the platform introduced encrypted chat backups in 2021 and, more recently, expanded to the iPad, rolled out ads, and added private chats with Meta’s AI chatbot.

Also Read: Who is Will Cathcart? WhatsApp leader exits after steering it through privacy battles, monetisation push

Meta invests $900 million in Cred

The leadership change comes alongside Meta’s $900 million (Rs 8,550 crore) investment in Cred, one of the largest funding transactions involving an Indian fintech startup.

The deal values Cred at $4.5 billion (Rs 43,239 crore).

Meta will join Cred’s cap table as a minority investor and will not have access to the company’s customer information. Shah also assured users that member data would remain inaccessible to Meta.

As part of the arrangement, Shah will leave his operating role at Cred to join Meta’s leadership team while retaining his personal shareholding in the fintech company.

Cred said its board and leadership team are also working on the structure required ahead of a potential IPO.