Reckitt job cuts confirmed at Hull facility

The household products giant has not confirmed how many roles will be affected by the changes to its global research and development organisation

Reckitt has informed staff that redundancies are on the horizon, while reaffirming it is “deeply committed” ties to the city.

The household and health products giant, which has its roots in Hull dating back to 1840, has confirmed that a number of roles within its research and development division will be cut, affecting operations at its multimillion-pound facility on Dansom Lane South.

The company has yet to disclose the precise number of jobs at risk. The announcement follows a disappointing set of first quarter results for the London Stock Exchange-listed firm, whose portfolio of well-known brands includes Dettol, Durex and Lysol.

In an official statement, Reckitt said: “We are making some changes to our global research and development organisation to better support the business and enable increased investment in our core growth areas. As a result, we have informed colleagues that there will be a reduction in a number of roles.

“Given Reckitt’s historic links to Hull, we remain deeply committed to the place where our company began and to the colleagues and community there. Our priority is to mitigate the impact of these changes wherever possible, and any colleagues affected will be treated with respect and supported throughout the process.”

Last month, the firm revealed that EU amendments to sanctions on Russia had adversely affected part of its operations, with bosses reporting a double-digit revenue decline within its Household Care division as a direct consequence.

The company also flagged potential costs of between £130m and £150m linked to elevated oil prices stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, describing this as a “manageable level” to counteract through measures including supply chain flexibility and pricing adjustments, reports Hull Live.

Group sales volumes fell 2% in the first quarter of 2026, with subdued cold and flu rates throughout the winter months weighing on the figures. For the rest of the year, Reckitt indicated it anticipates strong performances from its operations in India and China.

Reckitt expanded its Dansom Lane South facility in recent years and unveiled its cutting-edge £105m Science and Innovation Centre just over five years ago. The move represented the firm’s largest single-site investment, generating 200 jobs at the time and establishing a home for the group’s global technical centre for consumer health.