Reckitt Benckiser Names New CEO

Reckitt Benckiser (RB)appointed Rakesh Kapoor as chief executive officer designate after the retirement of current CEO Bart Becht. Kapoor has a 25-year career with RB and is currently executive vice president global category development at RB and an executive committee member.

Kapoor becomes CEO effective Sept. 1, 2011 with Becht staying on as part-time adviser until September 2012 to ensure a smooth transition, according to the company.

Kapoor joined RB in India in 1987 and was appointed to the Executive Committee in 2006 to lead the two key drivers of RB’s continued above industry-average growth – its global Powerbrand strategies and innovations. Prior to this, he had a highly successful career in RB, including leading the UK and Northern Europe business to the best financial performance these businesses have ever delivered. He has extensive experience of the household, health and personal care categories, and an intimate knowledge and understanding of consumers and retailers in both developing and developed countries.

Having led the pan-European and largest health care business in RB, when also leading Northern Europe, he was one of the architects of the Boots Healthcare International acquisition in 2006, which transformed RB into a global consumer health care company. He has been equally involved in the recent SSL and Paras India acquisitions.