DOUGLAS MESQUITA ROCHA
Chief R&D Officer | SVP R&D
London
Summary
I bring 25 years of global R&D leadership across Unilever, Reckitt, L’Oréal, Henkel, and Mars—driving product superiority, breakthrough innovation, and business growth. I’ve led large, diverse teams across North America, Europe, and Asia, including senior experts and leaders, delivering end-to-end innovation that connects with consumers.
Having lived and worked internationally, I thrive in global, fast-paced environments, building high-performing, accountable teams that challenge the status quo. Outside of work, I’m a husband, father, and endurance athlete, with multiple marathons and Ironman finishes, including the World Championship in Hawaii—bringing resilience, discipline, and a performance mindset to how I lead.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
SVP/Global Vice President Innovation
Mars
07.2024 - Current
- Leading global Innovation across R&D and Marketing, with teams based in the USA, UK, Germany, and Thailand—ensuring full integration of product, brand, and consumer experience.
- Driving a transformation of how we deliver innovation—embedding stronger consumer centricity, long-term strategic alignment, digital capabilities, and radically simplifying ways of working.
- Redesigning the marketing operating model to better connect with R&D and accelerate end-to-end innovation impact.
- Advancing our global Quality model by embedding Product and Technical Design Standards and leveraging our Superior Proposition framework to consistently deliver high-performing, consumer-preferred products.
- Significantly increasing resource efficiency while building a more agile, aligned, and outcome-driven innovation organization.
Member of the Board
TRI Princeton
01.2020 - Current
- Provide strategic oversight and governance to ensure the organization delivers on its scientific mission and long-term sustainability.
- Support leadership in shaping research priorities, partnerships, and innovation agendas aligned with industry needs.
- Uphold fiduciary responsibilities, ensuring resources are used effectively, with full transparency and accountability to stakeholders and the scientific community.
Global Vice President R&D Laundry and Home Care
Henkel
01.2023 - 06.2024
- Led a team of 200+ scientists delivering breakthrough innovation and product superiority in Laundry & Home Care.
- Developed and implemented the concept of technology roadmaps, focusing innovation resources towards specific "North Stars", aligned with brand strategies and evolving consumer needs.
- Strengthened strategic partnerships with suppliers and leading research institutes to expand capabilities, accelerate speed to market, and enhance competitive advantage.
- Created the Consumer & Technical Insight (CTI) function, embedding consumer-centricity within R&D; a key deliverable was the rollout of a global competitor benchmarking program focused on superior performance and market differentiation.
Global Vice President R&D Home Care
Henkel
05.2021 - 12.2022
- Led a team of 100 scientists driving innovation in Home Care.
- On top, led the complete redesign of Henkel’s R&D organization following the merger of Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care, building a more integrated, agile, and consumer-focused structure as well as delivered operational savings globally.
- Launched Somat Excellence, a breakthrough innovation in dishwashing, beating competitors like P&G and Reckitt.
Vice President Research & Innovation
L'Oréal
07.2019 - 04.2021
- Led a dynamic team of 100 scientists across multiple Beauty Categories, fostering a culture of innovation and scientific excellence.
- Courageously delivered a comprehensive team re-structuring, optimizing the entire organization and creating a notably improved work environment with 20% improvement on employee engagement.
- Spearheaded advancements in Photoprotection evaluation methodologies, strengthening L'Oréal's leadership in sun care innovation.
- Integrated consumer-centric methodologies such as Design Thinking, Co-Creation, and Online Communities to enhance product development.
- Established strategic outsourcing initiatives, optimizing costs while elevating service quality and operational efficiency.
Director of Research & Innovation
L'Oréal
04.2015 - 06.2019
- Led the end-to-end development of the Brazil's R&D hub ‘INNOVA’, from land acquisition to the inauguration of their state-of-the-art R&I building and subsequent operation.
- Positioned Brazil as a leading global talent hub, with three direct reports advancing into key positions within the organization, fostering internal mobility and leadership development.
- Strengthened industry relations through active participation in Cosmetic Companies Association and regulatory groups.
- Drove the integration of Brazil and Mexico as Latin America Innovation Hubs.
Director of R&D Central Europe
Reckitt
01.2014 - 03.2015
- Led R&D for Central & Eastern Europe, playing a key role on the regional Board and leadership team for Reckitt's largest manufacturing site.
- Drove the transformation of two R&D centers in Germany and Poland, increasing efficiency and talent development.
- Led the successful implementation and delivery of a savings program, achieved through strategic product optimization and collaborative partnerships with key suppliers.
Regional Senior Category Manager
Reckitt
05.2012 - 12.2013
- Implemented Consumer Science facilities and successfully led cross-functional teams, resulting in the successful launch of several new innovations for the Brands Vanish, Dettol and Veet.
- Increased Vanish market share in 30% within one year, by exploring product superiority via claims and delivering formats that were not existent in the market.
Senior R&D Manager
Unilever
11.2010 - 04.2012
- Led the development and successful launch of liquid detergents across Asia and Latin America, driving market expansion and revenue growth.
- Led the technical work required on the acquisition and seamless integration of Colgate's operations in Colombia, enhancing market presence and operational efficiency.
- Led the transition to phosphate-free formulations across Latin America, ensuring regulatory compliance and sustainability leadership, amidst one of the biggest crisis of Unilever in Latin America.
R&D Scientist and Manager
Unilever
10.2000 - 10.2010
- Progressive R&D career across Brazil and the UK, rising from entry-level technician to senior leadership roles. Built end-to-end expertise across all key R&D functions, including formulation, packaging, processing, and consumer research, while gaining early international experience and exposure to global innovation environments.
Education
Chief Technology Officer -
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom02-2025
MBA -
University of Manchester
Manchester, United Kingdom01-2011
Master of Science - Chemical Engineering
Escola De Engenharia Mauá
São Caetano Do Sul - Brazil12-2005
Associate of Science - Chemistry
Escola SENAI Mario Amato
São Bernardo Do Campo - Brazil06-1999
Skills
- Transformational Leadership
- Product Superiority & Consumer-Centric Innovation
- Enterprise Impact & Cross-Functional Influence
- Global Leadership & Senior Talent Development
Timeline
SVP/Global Vice President Innovation
Mars
07.2024 - Current
Global Vice President R&D Laundry and Home Care
Henkel
01.2023 - 06.2024
Global Vice President R&D Home Care
Henkel
05.2021 - 12.2022
Member of the Board
TRI Princeton
01.2020 - Current
Vice President Research & Innovation
L'Oréal
07.2019 - 04.2021
Director of Research & Innovation
L'Oréal
04.2015 - 06.2019
Director of R&D Central Europe
Reckitt
01.2014 - 03.2015
Regional Senior Category Manager
Reckitt
05.2012 - 12.2013
Senior R&D Manager
Unilever
11.2010 - 04.2012
R&D Scientist and Manager
Unilever
10.2000 - 10.2010
Chief Technology Officer -
University of Cambridge
MBA -
University of Manchester
Master of Science - Chemical Engineering
Escola De Engenharia Mauá
Associate of Science - Chemistry
Escola SENAI Mario Amato
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