From Test Tube to Toilets

Paul Ellis

Reckitt Benckiser

From Bunson Burners to Bikini Waxing

Ultraviolet to Verrucas

History• 1823 Benckiser founded in Ludwigshafen

Germany

• 1840 Reckitt & Sons founded in Hull, UK

• 1938 Reckitt and Sons and J&J Colman merge

• Dec 1999 Reckitt & Colman plc merges with Benckiser NV to create Reckitt Benckiser plc. Listed on London Stock Exchange

• Feb 2006 Reckitt Benckiser plc acquires Boots Healthcare International, doubling its presence in Health & Personal Care

• Jan 2008 Reckitt Benckiser completes acquisition of Adams Therapeutics Inc in USA, including Mucinex, leader in US cough relief

• 2010 Reckitt Benckiser completes the acquistion of SSL International including the Scholl and Durex brands

• World leader in attractive household cleaning health & personal care categories (c.75% of net revenues from No.1 or No.2 brands)

• Global company

− Operations in 60+ countries

− 42 Manufacturing facilities world-wide

− Sales in c. 180 countries world-wide.

− c.23,000 employees.

• UK listed, top 25 of FTSE 100

Paul Ellis

• Reckitt Benckiser

• R&D Director – Footcare

• R&D Director – New Technologies Group (2008 – 2011)

• R&D Manager – Depilatories (2004 – 2008)

• R&D Manager – Air Care (2001 – 2004)

• R&D Manager – Scientific Services Group (1999 – 2001)

• Senior Development Chemist, Surface Care (1997 – 1999)

• Johnson Matthey

• Development Chemist (1994 – 1997)

• Cambridge University

• Post Doctoral Research Assistant (1993 – 1994)

• Sheffield University

• Degree and PhD Chemistry (1987 – 1993)

How has a PhD helped me?

Chemistry Podiatry

The skills I learnt during my PhD are far more useful than the Chemistry itself

Chemistry

Microbiology

Physics

Dermatology

Pharmacology

Physiology

Podiatry

Biomechanics

Problem Solving

• Testing of an hypothesis

• Interpretation of data

Product quality issues

The ability to ask “what if?”

Communication Skills

• Negotiating to get time on shared equipment (NMR, IR)

• Negotiating with a factory to get time on the line to trial your new product

• Presentation at conferences or to industrial sponsors

• Selling ideas or presenting work to marketing or senior management

• Report writing and summation

• Discussing ideas and theories – to make better and stronger

A global perspective

• Enjoy the rich mix of cultures and nationalities whilst at University (Chinese, Russian, Dutch, Mexican, Italian, Spanish, Australian)

• Placement in Italy

• RB’s International mobility

• “ A company without a country”

• Diversity

• Global Mindset – products developed for a global rather than local market

• Best practices shared

So if you’re thinking of a career outside of academia, think about your skills and how you could apply themBuild your networks – talk to people already doing that type of job

Find out about the company? It’s a 2 way process. Is the company right for you too?• www.rb.com

• https://www.rb.com/careers/core-values

• Team Spirit

Ownership

Achievement

Entrepreneurship

Questions?

Paul.ellis@rb.com