Oct 23 (Reuters) - The finance chief of UnitedHealth

Group's ( UNH ) 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.

The latest departure follows UnitedHealth ( UNH ) 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.