From Test Tube to Toilets Paul Ellis Reckitt Benckiser

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