Ex-GSK CEO Andrew Witty to Co-Lead WHO COVID Task Force

Andrew Witty, former chief executive officer (CEO) of GlaxoSmithKline, and current President of UnitedHealth Group, a health insurer, and CEO of Optum, UnitedHealth Group’s health services company, has been asked to co-lead an effort organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with stakeholders, to accelerate the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Witty is taking a leave of absence from UnitedHealth Group while leading the initiative and will return to the company at approximately the end of 2020. Witty’s appointment to the position with WHO became effective April 20, 2020. During Witty’s temporary assignment, David S. Wichmann, CEO of UnitedHealth Group will oversee Optum.

Witty was a member of the UnitedHealth Group Board of Directors from August 2017 until March 2018, when he became CEO of Optum. He was named President of UnitedHealth Group in November 2019. Witty served as CEO and as a Director from 2008 until 2017 and joined the company in 1985.

Source: UnitedHealth Group

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