UnitedHealth Names Witty CEO as Wichmann Retires Abruptly (2)

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.

Witty was on an unpaid leave of absence from April to December last year to assist the World Health Organization on its Covid-19 response. He also advised the U.K. government’s task force on vaccines. Witty wasn’t on ...