Reckitt Benckiser to merge UK healthcare and personal care businesses

Reckitt Benckiser this week revealed proposals to combine its personal care business with its household and personal care division.

The new single business unit will begin operations in April 2010 and is likely to operate from the firm’s base in Slough.

It will be headed up by by Camillo Pane, who is currently UK healthcare general manager at the company – who will answer to Brendan Collins, the senior vice-president of and regional director of northern Europe.

According to the firm, the merging of the units will allow it to drive innovation across its global brands, which include Lemsip, Strepsils, Nurofen and E45.

The move will mean the relocation of around 90 employees from Hull to Slough and the company stated that it will offer financial and logistical support to assist those affected by the changes in the hope of retaining current employees.

Last month, Reckitt Benckiser announced the consolidation of its media buying tactics by appointing two new global agencies to take control of its 17 brands.