Marc Worth's Stylus secures backing from Investec

Marc Worth's Stylus Media Group (SMG) has secured "significant investment" from Investec Private Capital to fund expansion.

The London-based innovation and advisory group, which was founded by Worth in 2009, works with brands across the fashion, beauty, lifestyle, technology, automotive and media sectors. Clients include Saatchi & Saatchi,  Reebok, Nissan, Target, Sephora, Adidas, Luxottica, Twitter, Microsoft and Warner Bros.

Worth, who made his name in the industry by founding the leading trend authority WGSN (he sold the business to what was then Emap and is now Ascential in 2005 for £140m), said the funds will be invested in expanding SMG's range of innovation services and in kickstarting growth in emerging markets.

"We know that innovation, especially in times of economic uncertainty, is a key driver of business growth. This deal with Investec will allow SMG to continue to invest in offering an ever-broader range of innovation tools and services to our clients at a time when they really need it," Worth said.

The SMG group comprises online platform Stylus, consultancy arm Stylus Advisory and SMG Events; has made a number of acquisitions in recent years and is promising more to come.

Its events portfolio includes: Decoded Fashion, which stages events to bring fashion, beauty and retail brands together with new and established technology businesses; and unbound, which through its festivals, labs and insights links brands and corporations seeking to innovate quickly with start-ups that can provide them with disruptive technologies, products and services.

An unbound event will take place at London's Truman Brewery next week from 7-8 December with speakers including WPP's Sir Martin Sorrell and Kantar CEO Eric Salama. Worth will be moderating a panel on ‘serving the ever demanding consumer’ at the event on 7 December at midday.