Oct 23 (Reuters) – The finance chief of UnitedHealth Group’s (UNH.N) Optum unit, Roger Connor, has left after less than six months in the role, in the latest management change at the healthcare giant.
Ben Eklo, a longtime finance executive at the company, will succeed Connor effective November 1, a company spokesperson said on Thursday.
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The latest departure follows UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley’s efforts to turn around the company after several setbacks including its first earnings miss in over a decade during the first quarter.
Andrew Witty abruptly stepped down as CEO of the healthcare conglomerate in May.
Connor, who was named chief financial officer of the Optum health services unit in May, is leaving to return to the UK.
The Optum unit includes the company’s pharmacy benefits business, a vast portfolio of medical clinics and in-home care programs, and a data and technology unit.
The company has in recent months named Wayne DeVeydt as its new chief financial officer, as well as Patrick Conway as the new CEO of Optum.
Bloomberg News reported the development earlier in the day.
Reporting by Mariam Sunny and Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo and Sriraj Kalluvila
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