New Non Executive Director

21 August 2003

               JUDITH SPRIESER APPOINTED NON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR                

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

Judith Sprieser is Chief Executive Officer of Transora, Inc. which she helped
found in 2000. Transora is an e-commerce software and services company that
facilitates trade efficiencies, reduces the cost of commerce and streamlines
trading relationships between manufacturers, suppliers and retailers. More than
50 of the world's largest fast moving consumer product manufacturers
representing over $650 billion in annual revenues established Transora in 2000
based on the shared belief that collaboration and new technologies would be
essential to revolutionising the industry and driving future growth.

Judith was previously Executive Vice President of Sara Lee Corporation, serving
as Chief Executive of Sara Lee's Food and Foodservice operations. Prior to
assuming that post, she served as Chief Financial Officer for Sara Lee
Corporation, and in various other financial and operating positions.

Judith Sprieser is an American citizen. She is currently a member of the Board
of Directors of Transora, Allstate Insurance Company, USG Corporation, Kohl's
Corporation and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and Northwestern
University's Board of Trustees. She has a bachelor's degree and an MBA from
Northwestern University.

Adrian Bellamy, Chairman of Reckitt Benckiser plc, commented

'The Board is very pleased that Judith Sprieser has agreed to join us. She will
bring considerable experience in branded consumer goods, financial skills and
great understanding of technological and information systems change. I am sure
she will make a significant contribution to the future success of the Company.'

For Further Information

Tom Corran Reckitt Benckiser telephone [phone]

SVP investor relations & corporate communications

Liz Richardson Reckitt Benckiser telephone [phone]

Company Secretary

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 based in the UK with an HQ in Slough just outside London, is
listed on the London stock exchange where with a market capitalization of c.£
8bn 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.