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 them
Build 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