UnitedHealth Group Announces Executive Leadership Actions
February 04 2021 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
- Andrew Witty to Become CEO of UnitedHealth Group
- Dirk McMahon to Become President, COO; Will Join Witty and
John Rex, CFO, in Chief Executive Office
- David Wichmann, current CEO, Retires After Successful
Tenure
- Changes Ensure Seamless Continuity of Company’s Strategy,
Operations and Results
The Board of Directors of UnitedHealth Group has named Sir
Andrew Witty as chief executive officer, succeeding David S.
Wichmann, who retires after successfully guiding the company
through a period of growth and innovation and the deeply
challenging onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As we have come to know firsthand during his time at
UnitedHealth Group, Andrew Witty combines an extraordinary breadth
and depth of health care experience, sophisticated strategic
thinking and outstanding leadership development skills, making him
uniquely well-positioned to help the company take the next steps on
its steady path to grow and deliver for its shareholders and the
customers and people we are privileged to serve,” said Stephen J.
Hemsley, chairman of the UnitedHealth Group Board of Directors.
“I am deeply honored to help guide one of the most consequential
organizations in health care, where our responsibility is to
execute flawlessly and deliver on our potential each day,” said
Witty. “Together with my partners Dirk McMahon and John Rex, we
have the right strategy, and tremendous people and capabilities
throughout the organization to continue strengthening our efforts
to improve the health system for everyone. Dave Wichmann is leaving
a powerful legacy of service to others and commitment to innovation
for us to build upon.”
Witty was named CEO of Optum in March 2018 and added the role of
president, UnitedHealth Group, in November 2019. He previously
served as a UnitedHealth Group company director. From April 2020 to
December 2020, Witty took an unpaid leave of absence from his
company positions to serve as a Global Envoy for the World Health
Organization’s COVID-19 efforts. He also served as an advisor to
the UK Government COVID Vaccine Taskforce. From 2008 to 2017, Witty
was CEO and a director of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturer
GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK).
He will rejoin the UnitedHealth Group Board of Directors and
becomes CEO immediately, with Wichmann continuing in a transition
period through March 2021.
“Dave is an outstanding leader, and the Board and I are deeply
appreciative of his contributions to the company’s continued
success,” Hemsley said. “As CEO, Dave helped build an unmatched set
of distinctive capabilities, market positions and capacities that
will continue to contribute to a high-performing and more equitable
health system for everyone. Dave’s restless spirit, growth mindset
and determination for UnitedHealth Group to lead in the development
of the next-generation health system in a socially conscious way
will serve as a model of servant leadership for years to come.”
Witty, Chief Financial Officer John Rex, and Dirk McMahon, as
the new president and chief operating officer, will constitute the
company’s Chief Executive Office.
McMahon has served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare since June 2019.
Prior to this role, McMahon was president and chief operating
officer, Optum. McMahon has served in a number of leadership
positions across the enterprise since joining the company in 2003,
including CEO, OptumRx, overseeing UnitedHealth Group's pharmacy
benefit management programs, along with various management
positions in information technology, operations and finance. Before
joining UnitedHealth Group, McMahon was head of airport operations
worldwide for Northwest Airlines.
As executive vice president and CFO of UnitedHealth Group since
June 2016, Rex has an expansive operating, growth and finance
portfolio. He joined the company in 2012 as executive vice
president and CFO of Optum. Prior to that, Rex was a leading equity
research analyst, served as a strategy and operational consultant,
and practiced as a certified public accountant across several
health care sectors.
“Dirk’s unparalleled operational track record is grounded in his
deep engagement with and understanding of the people of the
organization and the needs of customers and consumers, and I am
grateful he will be helping drive the enterprise forward. In John
Rex we have an industry-leading executive with a demonstrated track
record in strategy, business development and finance whose acumen
will help guide the continued, sustainable growth of our company,”
said Witty.
“I am eager to partner with John and Dirk and our 330,000
colleagues throughout the company to advance the health of those we
serve,” said Witty.
Wichmann joined UnitedHealth Group in 1998 and became its CEO in
September 2017. He served as CFO from 2011 until mid-2016 when he
became president. He had previously led UnitedHealthcare and
UnitedHealth Group’s enterprise-wide operations and technology
efforts, along with external development, M&A and integration
activities at the company.
The company reiterated its 2021 outlook for adjusted net
earnings of $17.75 to $18.25 per share and its commitment to a long
term 13% to 16% growth rate.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health care
company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and
helping make the health system work better for everyone.
UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services
through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides
health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which
provides information and technology-enabled health services. For
more information, visit UnitedHealth Group at
www.unitedhealthgroup.com or follow @UnitedHealthGrp on
Twitter.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210204005587/en/
Investors: Brett Manderfeld Senior Vice President
952-936-7216 brett_manderfeld@uhg.com Media: Matt
Stearns Senior Vice President 202-276-0085 matt.stearns@uhg.com
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