9 Million lives transformed: Inside our social impact strategy

At Reckitt, we are in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. This ambition is not new. Community impact has been baked into our DNA for nearly two centuries. Our business, Powerbrands and expertise have always worked together to drive lasting behaviour change that improves health and hygiene around the world.

However, we are mindful that the scale of the global challenges has never been greater. Tackling them requires a more urgent and integrated approach fuelled by collective action and partnership.

For Reckitt, social impact is not a peripheral activity; it is a fundamental business imperative. Sheila Redzepi, Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer, explains that our responsibility begins with our portfolio but must extend far beyond it: 

"Our brands improve the health and wellbeing of millions of people around the world. When using Dettol for hand washing or Durex to practise safe sex, we help improve public health outcomes. But that is not enough. Significant challenges remain. Nearly 5 billion people in the world lack access to care, and 1 in 4 people do not have access to safe drinking water. Healthcare systems are under significant pressure, and that's only getting more challenging with the impacts of climate change." 

Sheila is clear about the link between societal health and business success:

This conviction is backed by significant action. Last year alone we impacted 9 million people through our social impact work. We have already surpassed our 2030 ambitions, and since 2020 have impacted 38 million people with access to health and hygiene. But so much more needs to be done.

Water Access: Investing in the foundation of healthy communities

Philipp Kuest, Global Social Impact Lead for Water and Hygiene, adds: "Every dollar we invest into our Water.org model catalyses $20 over the lifetime of the programme. Last year, we saw a 7% return on our impact investments, which we reinvested back into the model to create a cycle of capital that continuously accelerates impact."

Stronger Communities: Scaling grassroots innovation

This 'hand up’ model moves away from traditional corporate giving and creates broader value. Take Samir, the founder of EcoSoap Bank. He works at the sidelines of our factory in South Africa, recycling soap waste into soap bars that are distributed through the Dettol Hygiene Quest programme to schools. Samir’s solution means we avoid waste, provide hygiene access to school children and scale a local business simultaneously.

Mentorship is a critical bridge here. Last year, over 200 Reckitt colleagues applied to share their unique expertise with these founders. "Our mentors learn as much as the entrepreneurs," says Philipp. "They gain incredible insight into resilience and innovative thinking from founders who solve world-scale problems with limited resources."

One standout example of this is Nida Yousaf Sheikh, CEO and co-founder of Tayaba.org in Pakistan, who Philipp has mentored personally for the past three years. After witnessing the physical toll on women carrying water, Nida developed a ‘water roller’ to ease the burden. Through Reckitt’s mentorship, she has evolved her business to include solar-powered water plants and technology that literally pulls safe drinking water from the humidity in the air.

Resilient Health: Preventative care for people and the planet

Our approach to health resilience also includes improving sexual health education through our brand Durex and tackling associated misperceptions. In regions where sex education is restricted or considered taboo, we use digital platforms and peer-to-peer content on TikTok to reach young people with reliable information. "We want young people to approach intimacy with knowledge and not fear," Susannah says. "Open dialogue is the only way to promote healthy and responsible choices."

The power of partnership

As we look towards 2026, we remain humble about the road ahead. We know that the trajectory of these global issues can only be changed through collective effort.

Sheila concludes with a call for collaboration: "We know we cannot do this alone. The scale of the challenge is much too big for any one organisation to tackle on their own. It is only with our peers and our partners that we can have lasting impact."

Our 2025 Social Impact report is a roadmap for what we can achieve together. By pairing our brands and business expertise with the bravery of local innovators, we are supporting more resilient communities of tomorrow.

Explore our 2025 Social Impact Report.

Listen to our roundtable discussion with Philipp Kuest, Global Social Impact Lead for Water and Hygiene, and Susannah Herbert, Global Social Impact Lead for Health, chaired by Toyosi Adebayo, External Digital Channels Senior Associate, below.