Summary
UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) announced on April 17, 2020, a significant temporary change in leadership within its Optum division. Sir Andrew Witty, President of the Company and CEO of Optum, will be taking an unpaid leave of absence from April 20, 2020, through December 31, 2020. This leave is to allow Mr. Witty to co-lead a critical global effort with the World Health Organization (WHO) focused on accelerating the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. During Mr. Witty's absence, David S. Wichmann, the Company's CEO, will assume oversight of Optum in addition to his current responsibilities. This move highlights the critical importance of the COVID-19 vaccine development and UNH's willingness to contribute senior leadership to such efforts. The company also recognized Mr. Witty's recent performance with a $550,000 payment.
Key Highlights
- 1Sir Andrew Witty, President of UNH and CEO of Optum, is taking an unpaid leave of absence from April 20, 2020, to December 31, 2020.
- 2Mr. Witty will co-lead a global initiative with the World Health Organization (WHO) to accelerate COVID-19 vaccine development.
- 3David S. Wichmann, UNH CEO, will assume responsibility for overseeing Optum during Mr. Witty's leave.
- 4The company provided a special payment of $550,000 to Sir Andrew Witty on April 16, 2020.
- 5This payment acknowledges Mr. Witty's extraordinary performance in supporting UNH's customers, communities, and employees during the current crisis and sustaining business growth.
- 6The filing includes a press release dated April 15, 2020, detailing these changes.