Reckitt Benckiser to switch auditor to PwC in 2026

PwC is set to be selected as the new auditor of Reckitt Benckiser Group. The firm will take over from rival KPMG in 2026.

Formed in 1999 by the merger of Reckitt & Colman and Benckiser, the firm now known as Reckitt Benckiser is a multinational company that produces health, hygiene and nutrition products. The Slough-headquartered organisation boasts brands such as Dettol, Harpic, Veet and Mead Johnson as part of its portfolio.

Since the 2018 financial year, it has been audited by KPMG. With audit rotation mandates meaning organisations must switch auditors at least every 10 years, however, Reckitt Benckiser has undergone a new tendering process, and selected a successor to take over next year.

The process, overseen by the audit committee, evaluated competing proposals and led to a recommendation of PwC, which has now been endorsed by the board. A resolution to appoint PwC as external auditor from the year ending 31 December 2026 will be put to shareholders at the 2026 annual general meeting.

KPMG will carry out the client’s audit for the financial year ending in December 2025 – before stepping down following Reckitt Benckiser’s annual general meeting. It might be best not to burn any bridges on the way out though.

PwC was previously Reckitt’s auditor for around two decades before it was replaced by KPMG in 2018. When the revolving door comes back round in 2034, Reckitt Benckiser clearly favours familiarity when it comes to picking an auditor.