Appointment of Non Executive Director

1st December 2003

                  KEN HYDON APPOINTED NON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR                   

Reckitt Benckiser plc (RB.L) today announced the appointment of Ken Hydon as an
independent non-executive director of the Company with immediate effect.

Ken Hydon (59) is currently Financial Director of Vodafone Group Plc, the
world's largest international mobile telecommunications network company, and
one of the largest companies in the FTSE 100 and Eurotop 300. Vodafone has
turnover of £30bn and employs more than 60,000 people worldwide. Ken joined
Vodafone in 1985, having previously worked in a number of companies in the
industrial, pharmaceutical and electronics industries. Ken is a British
citizen.

Ken Hydon has played a significant role in the rapid growth of Vodafone into
its current position with operations in 26 countries worldwide. He was also
heavily involved in the acquisition s of AirTouch Communications , Mannesmann -
and the consequential sale of Orange - and Japan Telecom. All of the
acquisitions have been successfully integrated into the Vodafone Group under a
common brand.

Adrian Bellamy, Chairman of Reckitt Benckiser plc, commented

'The Board is very pleased that Ken has agreed to join us. He will bring strong
finance skills and international experience gained in one of the world's most
global businesses. These skills will certainly be valuable to Reckitt
Benckiser, another world leading business that has successfully integrated
international businesses into a global company with a common culture. I am sure
he will make a significant contribution to the future success of the Company.'

For Further Information

Tom Corran, SVP Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Telephone [phone]

Liz Richardson , Company Secretary
telephone [phone]

Tim Spratt
Financial Dynamics
telephone [phone]

Notes for Editors

Reckitt Benckiser is the world leader in household cleaning, excluding laundry,
and has a major presence in health and personal care. The Company is truly
global, with over 60 operating companies and close to 50 manufacturing
facilities worldwide and has sales in 180 countries. The Company employes
23,000 people around the world. Amongst the Company's leading brands are Lysol,
the world leader in disinfecting cleaning, Calgonit & Finish & Electrasol, the
world leaders in automatic dishwashing, Woolite, world leader in fine fabrics,
Vanish & Spray 'nWash, world leaders in fabric treatment, Veet, the world
number one depilatory and Dettol the world's leading antiseptic. Reckitt
Benckiser is headquartered in Slough just outside London, is listed on the
London stock exchange where with a market capitalization of c.£9bn it ranks
among the top 30 UK listed companies. Reckitt Benckiser had net revenues of £
3.5bn, operating profit of £577m, net income of £408m and net cash flow of £
576m in 2002.