16 Jun 2026 16:00
RECKITT BENCKISER GROUP PLC
DIRECTORATE CHANGE
Reckitt announces the appointment of
Deborah Waterhouse and Gavin Patterson as Non-Executive Directors
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (the "Company" or "Reckitt") today announces the appointment of Deborah Waterhouse and Gavin Patterson to the Board as Non-Executive Directors, with effect from 1 July 2026.
Deborah Waterhouse
Deborah is Chief Executive Officer of ViiV Healthcare, a role she has held since 2017, and has been President, Global Health at GSK plc since 2022. She is also a member of GSK's Executive Committee.
ViiV Healthcare is a leading global specialist pharmaceutical company, majority owned by GSK, focused on advancing science in the treatment and prevention of HIV. Under Deborah's leadership, the business has strengthened its position as a global leader in its field, combining commercial scale with a strong focus on innovation and patient outcomes.
Deborah brings extensive international experience across the pharmaceuticals sector, with more than 25 years at GSK. During that time, she has held a broad range of senior leadership roles across specialty and primary care businesses in the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific, with significant experience in global commercial strategy, financial oversight, operational delivery and leadership in highly regulated environments.
Deborah served as a Non-Executive Director of Schroders plc until May 2025.
Deborah will join the Audit Committee with effect from 1 July 2026.
Gavin Patterson
Gavin brings extensive board and executive leadership experience, having led large, complex, international businesses through periods of significant technological change, infrastructure investment and strategic transformation.
He served as Chief Executive Officer of BT Group plc from 2013 to 2019, where he led the business through a period of substantial transformation, including the nationwide rollout of superfast fibre infrastructure and the initial deployment of ultrafast broadband. During his tenure, he oversaw major investment in network capability and the evolution of BT into a more integrated, technology-driven communications business.
Following BT, Gavin held senior leadership roles at Salesforce Inc. from 2019 to 2023, predominantly as President and Chief Revenue Officer, contributing to the company's continued global expansion and strengthening its position as a leading enterprise cloud and platform business.
Gavin is currently Chairman of Elixirr International plc and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Alzheimer's Research UK. He also serves as a Non-Executive Director of Ocado Group plc, Wix.com Ltd and Fractal Analytics Limited.
Earlier in his career, Gavin held a range of management and marketing roles at Procter & Gamble.
Gavin will join the Remuneration Committee with effect from 1 July 2026.
Chair's statement
Commenting on the appointments, Sir Jeremy Darroch, Chair of the Board, said:
"We are delighted to welcome Deborah and Gavin to the Reckitt Board. Deborah brings extensive global healthcare expertise and a strong track record of leadership in complex, innovation-driven organisations. Gavin adds significant experience in leading large international businesses, including as Chief Executive of BT Group plc, with deep expertise in transformation, infrastructure investment and digital growth.
Their complementary skills and perspectives will further strengthen the Board and support Reckitt in delivering its long-term strategy."
CONTACT DETAILS:
Contacts
Nick Ashworth +44 (0)7408 812350
SVP Investor Relations
Catheryn O'Rourke +44 (0) 1753 217 800
General Counsel & Company Secretary
Notes to Editors
1. About Reckitt: We make the products people trust to care for the ones they love. We are home to some of the world's best-loved consumer health and hygiene brands, including Dettol, Durex, Finish, Gaviscon, Harpic, Lysol, Mucinex, Nurofen, Strepsils, Vanish and Veet. Consumers are at the heart of everything we do. By creating innovative, science-backed solutions, we support people every day to live healthier lives. Reckitt exists to protect, heal and nurture in the pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. This commitment goes beyond the products we make. Through our actions, we expand access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities. We support the planet by reducing waste, conserving resources and driving sustainable innovation. We believe good health starts at home. With every action we take, we strive to make our consumers' lives easier, cleaner and healthier, to strengthen communities and to create a more sustainable future.
2. *Reckitt is the trading name of the Reckitt Benckiser group of companies.
3. Gavin has held a number of board and advisory roles across listed, private and charitable organisations, including previously serving as a Non-Executive Director of British Airways plc.
4. Gavin previously served as a director of Tappit Technologies (UK) Limited, which entered administration in January 2023, following which the business was sold by the administrators pursuant to a pre-packaged sale.
The Company confirms that there is no further information to be disclosed pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13R in relation to these appointments.
Find out more or get in touch with us at www.reckitt.com.
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc's LEI code is 5493003JFSMOJG48V108
Follow the stocks