Prognosis

UnitedHealth Names Witty CEO as Wichmann Retires Abruptly

Former CEO of GlaxoSmithKline starts new role immediately
Wichmann will stay on for transition period through March

Andrew Witty in 2016.
Photographer: Simon Dawson

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By John Tozzi

February 4, 2021 at 1:37 PM UTC

Updated on

February 4, 2021 at 4:37 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. appointed Andrew Witty, the former head of one of the world’s biggest drugmakers, to succeed Dave Wichmann as CEO after he served fewer than four years in the role.

Witty, the former CEO of British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline Plc, has led UnitedHealth’s Optum division since 2018. The sprawling health-services business includes pharmacy benefits, medical clinics, surgery centers, technology and consulting.