Director, External Affairs & Partnerships AMESA,
Reckitt Benckiser

Ravi Bhatnagar leads External Affairs and Partnerships at Reckitt Benckiser, and is in charge of the Africa, Middles East and South Asia Regions, where the interlinking of the issues of Health, Hygiene and Nutrition can be seen from close quarters.

The focus throughout is on Human Centric Design Thinking, or a creative approach to problem solving, which is key to the success of projects in these countries. Being an integral part of conveying Reckitt Benckiser’s mission of “Purpose led Business”, Bhatnagar has used his communication skills to reach out to the target benefactors of the programmes, who belong to the marginalised sections of society.

With his deep interest in and knowledge of the issues of Health, Hygiene and Nutrition, Bhatnagar has been able to communicate about the effectiveness of the programmes and campaigns of RB to senior government officials and those in top global institutions like the UN, World Bank and WHO.

Reckitt Benckiser’s ‘Dettol Banega Swasth India Programme’ has helped take the message of handwashing into every home. Bhatnagar is currently involved in taking forward RB’s programme of Health, Hygiene and Nutrition in India’s aspirational districts across multiple states in India. In the field of sanitation, he has been instrumental in the establishment of the first World Toilet College in Rishikesh, India, followed by second World Toilet College at Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

In recognition of RB’s exemplary work in the field of Hygiene and Sanitation to take forward the Swachh Bharat Mission, the President of India presented an award to Mr Bhatnagar and his team. He has also been the recipient of the Winner of the Hall of Fame at the World Trade Organization.

Before joining Reckitt Benckiser,  Bhatnagar worked in challenging leadership positions in several organisations, including as Associate Director with Clinton Health Access Initiative, Senior Manager Programmes with Population Services International to name a few.

He is taskforce member of FICCI’s India Sanitation Coalition and Co-Chair of ASSOCHAM’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee.