Rentokil Initial

The story of Rentokil Initial is a fascinating journey that began not in a boardroom, but in the mind of a professor battling a beetle infestation. In 1925, Harold Maxwell-Lefroy, an entomology professor at Imperial College, London, was tasked with the monumental challenge of eliminating death watch beetles from Westminster Hall. His work led to the creation of an anti-woodworm fluid he aptly named 'Ento-Kill'. When trademark issues arose, he pivoted to 'Rentokil', and Rentokil Ltd. was born. Tragically, Professor Maxwell-Lefroy died in a lab accident that same year, but his assistant, Bessie Eades, saw the immense potential in his invention. She purchased the rights and relaunched the company, laying the groundwork for what would become a global enterprise.

The company's path to global leadership was marked by strategic evolution and acquisition. A parallel story was unfolding with British Ratin, a pest control company founded in 1927 that used a Danish-developed bacillus to control rodents. As both companies expanded into insect control, their synergy became undeniable. In 1957, British Ratin acquired Rentokil, but wisely chose to adopt the more memorable Rentokil name for the combined entity. The 1960s marked a period of aggressive international expansion, taking the brand across Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond. A pivotal moment came in 1996 with the hostile takeover of the much larger British Electric Traction (BET plc). This acquisition was transformative, not only doubling the company's size but also bringing the 'Initial' brand—with its century-long history in laundry and washroom services—into the fold. This merger created the multifaceted business services giant known today as Rentokil Initial, a leader in protecting people, enhancing lives, and preserving the planet through its expertise in hygiene and pest control.