Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (LSE:RKT, ETR:3RB) chief executive Laxman Narasimhan is leaving the FTSE 100 group after exactly three years, as he wants to leave the UK and move back to the US.
The Durex, Dettol and Cillit Bang owner poached Narasimhan from Pepsi in 2019, looking for a new start after a difficult couple of years.
Having started in the role on 1 September 2019, he leaves precisely 36 months later after leading what the group calls a “successful rejuvenation”.
He has been replaced with immediate effect after being approached for a role that enables him to move back to the US.
Senior independent director Nicandro Durante, former boss of British American Tobacco, has stepped into the role of interim chief executive. The process to find a new permanent CEO has begun.
Reckitt said Durante, who has been on the board for a number of years, will continue to implement its current strategy.
Chairman Chris Sinclair said Durante “will provide the leadership needed for Reckitt at this important stage of transformation while we find the right long-term leader for the business”.