RB announces changes to executive team

Harold van den Broek, currently CFO of Hygiene Home, is appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Hygiene Home business unit and join the company’s Executive Committee, reporting to Group CEO Laxman Narasimhan.

Rob de Groot, President, Hygiene Home is stepping down from his role today and will leave the company in February 2020 after a handover period with Harold.

Group CEO Laxman Narasimhan said about the changes: “I would like to thank Rob for his 32 years of distinguished service. As President of Hygiene Home he has led the significant improvement in performance of the brands and created a strong purpose-led organisation, passionate about sustainability. I look forward to working with Harold, who has been a strategic partner to Rob throughout the establishment of Hygiene Home business unit, and is known for inspiring teams to deliver growth, with operational rigour.”

Kris Licht, joined RB in November from Pepsico, taking up the newly created role of Chief Transformation Officer and will also be a member of the Executive Committee. Kris was most recently Division President for Pepsi Beverages North America. Prior to this role, Kris led the North East Division of PepsiCo Beverages North America and also held the role of Commercial Transformation for PepsiCo Beverages North America. Kris will help in creating and implementing a roadmap for our strategy and portfolio and supporting the transformation of our execution capabilities.

These appointments follow the recent announcement of Jeff Carr’s appointment as Group Chief Financial Officer, replacing Adrian Hennah who has held the post since 2013. Jeff joins RB from his current role as Chief Financial Officer, Management Board and Executive Committee member at Ahold Delhaize, where he has been since 2011. Jeff began his career at Unilever as a graduate trainee and has held senior roles at Grand Metropolitan plc, Associated British Foods plc, easyJet plc and First Group plc and in senior finance roles in RB between 1994-2004. Jeff also serves as non-executive director of Kingfisher plc.

Laxman added: “I am extremely pleased to welcome Kris, Jeff and Harold to the leadership team of RB. They will help write the next chapter RB’s history. I look forward to working with this exceptional group of leaders.”