From Test Tube to Toilets Paul Ellis Reckitt Benckiser
Mar 28, 2015
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?
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?