Andrew Witty, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group, has been has been walking a tightrope in the weeks following the assassination of Brian Thompson, his colleague and the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Despite the shock and outrage surrounding Thompson’s death, Witty has been boasting that 2024 has been a record year financially, according to the Wall Street Journal.
In a video shared with employees on December 23, Witty acknowledged the difficult emotions sweeping through the company. “People continue to have strong feelings inside the organization—maybe nervous, maybe anxious, maybe worried about security,” he said, addressing concerns about the safety and stability of the company.
But Witty didn’t dwell on the darker side of things for long. Instead, he shifted focus to what he saw as a major success: UnitedHealth’s record year. Despite the tragedy, the company’s financial results for 2024 have surpassed expectations, a fact Witty has not been shy about celebrating. In his communications with staff, he emphasized the hard work and resilience of UnitedHealth employees, reminding them that their contributions are crucial to the company’s success.
Thompson, who was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the company’s health insurance arm, was gunned down in broad daylight in New York City, sending shockwaves through the organization. UnitedHealthcare serves over 50 million people, and Thompson had been seen as a key leader within the company. His death has left employees rattled, with many reporting a sense of unease, and some even receiving threatening messages online and by email.
In response, armed security guards have been stationed at the company’s headquarters in Minnesota to ensure staff safety.
Despite the turmoil, Witty has made it clear that 2024 has been a record-breaking year for UnitedHealth in terms of revenue and growth, with the company continuing to thrive financially even in the wake of Thompson’s assassination.
