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Marc Worth, founder of trend forecasters WGSN and Stylus, dies aged 61

Lauretta Roberts
16 January 2023

Marc Worth, a pioneer of the online trend forecasting industry and founder of both WGSN and Stylus, has died suddenly at the age of 61.

Worth suffered a heart attack on Friday 13 January and a funeral is due to be held tomorrow.

Along with his brother Julian, Marc Worth revolutionised the trend forecasting market in fashion by establishing WGSN (Worth Global Style Network) in the early era of the internet in 1998.

The business was the first to deliver catwalk, street style and retail intelligence to fashion businesses around the global more or less in real time. Prior to that businesses relied on seasonal, print-based trend books.

Worth, whose entry into fashion had come via his family's textile business Heatseal Textiles, made millions when he sold WGSN to publishing group Emap for £140 million in 2005. The business remains the jewel on the crown of what is now known as the Ascential Group.

Following the sales, Worth went on to establish Stylus, which offers trend intelligence and consumer research to many large global consumer brands. He was CEO at Stylus until April of last year when he then transitioned to the role of executive chairman.

Victoria Rennie, CEO of Stylus said: “Everyone at Stylus is completely shocked by this tragic news. Marc was an indomitable presence whose passion and humour will leave an indelible mark on our business and the industry for years to come. Many of us at Stylus have worked with Marc for decades and his loss will be felt sorely.”

Worth was a keen investor and mentor of new businesses and young entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. He served as the Chairman for both UK Israel Business (UKIB) and Israel’s Shenkar College Board of Governors. He was also a Trustee of The Tel Aviv Foundation and the Chairman of TLVinLDN.

Rennie added: “We will continue our work to evolve and grow the business Marc founded, as I know he would have wished us to do. But of course, our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the whole Worth family at this very sad time."

Worth is survived by his wife, Kelly, Hilda the mother of his children, Patti, Max, Henry, and Louis.

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