Annelies Smits

Annelies Smits has a diverse and extensive work experience in the marketing and healthcare industry. Annelies is currently working as the Global Marketing Director at Cooper Consumer Health since March 2021. Prior to that, they held multiple roles at RECKITT BENCKISER GROUP PLC from 2017 to 2021, including the position of Head of Marketing and Medical Sales - OTC & Infant Nutrition. In this role, they led marketing and trade marketing for the healthcare portfolio of OTC categories and brands, as well as headed the Infant Nutrition Business Unit. Annelies was responsible for Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxemburg markets, leading a team of seven brand professionals and eight sales representatives.

Before joining RECKITT BENCKISER GROUP PLC, Annelies worked at Perrigo Company plc as a Group Brand Manager OTC and Senior International Brand Manager - Branded Consumer Healthcare from 2014 to 2017. Annelies also gained experience as an International Brand Manager at Omega Pharma UK & Ireland from 2012 to 2014, where they worked on various categories like cough/cold, medicated skincare, and allergy. During their tenure, they received accolades such as the OTC Marketing Award for Best Advertising in press and out of home, and the Independent Community Pharmacy Award for Allergy Pharmacy Product of the Year.

Annelies started their career at Omega Pharma as a Jr Global Brand Manager and later became the Global Brand Manager - Cough, Cold, and Allergy from 2009 to 2012. Annelies also had internship experiences at Atos Worldline and Merck Serono S.A. in 2009, where they worked on market research projects and gained valuable consumer insights.

With their valuable experience and expertise in marketing and healthcare, Annelies Smits has demonstrated their ability to lead teams, develop marketing strategies, and successfully manage portfolios of OTC categories and brands.

Annelies Smits began their education at UHasselt, where they pursued a degree in Commercial Engineering with a major in Accountancy and Finance from 2003 to 2008. During their time at UHasselt, they also participated in an Erasmus program at the Università degli Studi di Siena from 2005 to 2006. After completing their bachelor's degree, Annelies Smits enrolled in Vlerick Business School and earned a Master after Master in Marketing Management from 2008 to 2009.

In 2014, they obtained a certification in Financial Awareness from Spearhead Training (Spearhead Gulf LLC), followed by a Train the Trainer certification from Adelphi Associates in 2015. That same year, they also completed an Equine Guided Leadership Course from a2o coaching and acquired Coaching Skills from AoEC - The Academy of Executive Coaching in 2016. Lastly, in 2019, Annelies Smits earned a certification in Impacting the P&L from Business Today.

Most recently, Annelies Smits attended Vlerick Business School in 2020 to enhance their skills in Leading Change with a focus on Business Administration and Management, General.