Bart Becht, the CEO of consumer goods giant – and French’s mustard owner – Reckitt-Benckiser, is to step down after 16 years in the role.

Becht, who hit the headlines last year following the disclosure of his GBP90m (US$130m) pay-and-share packet for 2009, said today (14 April) it was “the right time” to retire from the position.

Rakesh Kapoor, who joined RB in 1987 and has been a member of the company’s executive committe since 2006, will replace Becht as CEO.

French’s mustard is one of RB’s 19 “power brands” and the company claims the product is the world’s “number one” mustard.

The company’s food business is focused mainly on North America and it also sells a range of sauces in the region, including Cattlemen’s BBQ sauce.

The bulk of RB’s sales, however, is made up by non-food brands, ranging from Vanish stain remover to Harpic toilet cleaner.

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