Andrew Witty: A Look at His Life and Accomplishments

Andrew Witty is a renowned British businessman and former CEO of GlaxoSmithKline.

He was born in 1966 in the UK.

He studied at Cambridge University, where he earned a degree in Engineering.

As a seasoned executive, Witty played a crucial role in shaping the pharmaceutical industry's landscape.

Andrew Witty was born in Nantwich on 22 August 1964. He spent his early years in this charming town, which is known for its rich history and cultural heritage.

He attended Nantwich and Acton Grammar School, now known as Malbank School, where he likely made lifelong friendships and developed a strong foundation in academics.

Andrew went on to earn a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Nottingham, a prestigious institution that has produced many notable alumni over the years.

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Andrew Witty joined Glaxo UK in 1985 as a management trainee, starting his career in the pharmaceutical industry.

He held various positions in the UK, including director of pharmacy and distribution in Glaxo Pharmaceuticals UK, where he gained valuable experience in the field.

From 2010 until 2015, Witty served on the business advisory board of Prime Minister David Cameron, utilizing his expertise to advise the UK government.

Witty was also a member of the UNAIDS–Lancet Commission for Defeating AIDS and Advancing Global Health from 2013 to 2015, co-chaired by Joyce Banda, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and Peter Piot.

In 2015, he joined the UN High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines, led by Ruth Dreifuss and Festus Mogae, further demonstrating his commitment to global health.

Witty was appointed to the Pandemic Preparedness Partnership (PPP) in April 2021, an expert group chaired by Vallance to advise the G7 presidency.

He received the title of ‘Sir’ in the year 2012 as part of the New Year Honours, recognizing his services to the UK pharmaceutical industry and the economy.

Witty has received multiple honorary doctorates, including from his alma mater, the University of Nottingham, for his contributions to healthcare and business leadership.

As CEO of UnitedHealth Group, Witty's net worth is approximately $42 million, with an executive pay of $23.5 million.

Witty began his career at Glaxo UK in 1985 and held various roles, including director of pharmacy & distribution at Glaxo Pharmaceuticals UK.

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He later served as president, Pharmaceuticals Europe of GlaxoSmithKline plc, and became CEO in 2008, making efforts to change the pricing of GSK pharmaceuticals to make them more affordable in low-income countries.

Witty was knighted in the 2012 New Year Honours for services to the economy and the UK pharmaceutical industry, and was also conferred the Honorary Citizen of Singapore in 2018.

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GlaxoSmithKline was a significant part of Andrew Witty's career, serving as his employer for many years. He was a vice president and general manager of marketing of Glaxo Wellcome Inc., a subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline.

Witty was appointed president, Pharmaceuticals Europe of GlaxoSmithKline plc in January 2003 and succeeded Jean-Pierre Garnier as CEO following his retirement in May 2008. He was paid an annual salary of £948,000 and received bonuses and other compensation amounting to £2,180,000 for this role.

In an attempt to make vital drugs more affordable in countries with the lowest incomes, Witty pledged in February 2009 to make a major change in the way GSK pharmaceuticals are priced. He also announced that GSK would place certain patents in a pool so that they were freely available for others in the search for new drugs.

The company faced a major scandal in July 2013, when the People's Republic of China announced that they were investigating allegations of fraud perpetrated by GSK going back to 2007 and involving billions of Chinese renminbi. Witty stated that the allegations were "shameful" and "deeply disappointing".

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