Robert Worcester

Sir Robert Milton Worcester
Born	(1933-12-21) December 21, 1933 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Occupation(s)	Pollster, founder of MORI, political analyst, academic
Years active	1965–present
Known for	Founder of MORI; expertise in public opinion research and political analysis

Sir Robert Milton Worcester, born on 21 December 1933, is a British pollster originally from the United States and the founder of MORI (Market & Opinion Research International Ltd.). He is widely recognized in the UK for his expertise in public opinion research and political analysis, frequently providing media insights on electoral patterns in both Britain and the United States.

Early life

Worcester was born in Kansas City, Missouri and completed his studies at the University of Kansas in 1955. Following his graduation, he served with the US Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean conflict before joining the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company.

Career

In 1965, Worcester took on the role of chief financial officer at Opinion Research Corporation. Four years later, in 1969, he relocated to the United Kingdom to launch MORI, which began as a collaborative enterprise between ORC and National Opinion Polls. By 1973, he had become the primary owner of the company.

Throughout the 1970s, MORI was closely associated with the Labour Party as their chosen polling organization, with Worcester providing counsel to then Prime Minister James Callaghan.

From 2007 until 2014, he held the position of Chancellor at the University of Kent, after which Gavin Esler succeeded him. Worcester has been granted emeritus and visiting professorships at several academic institutions such as the London School of Economics, King's College London, and Warwick University. Additionally, he is Chancellor's Lecturer and adjunct professor specializing in political science at the University of Kansas.

Worcester directed the World Values Survey projects conducted in Trinidad and Tobago (2006 and 2010) as well as in the UK (1998), and has served as president of the World Association for Public Opinion Research. Since October 2012, he has acted as a Patron of the UK Market Research Society.

His leadership roles extend to governance positions including deputy chairman and trustee of the Magna Carta Trust, where he chaired its committee commemorating the 800th anniversary. He also serves as a governor of the Ditchley Foundation. Between 2005 and 2007, he co-chaired the British Committee for the Jamestown 400th Commemoration. Worcester has held executive roles with organizations such as the Institute for Business Ethics, Camelot’s Corporate Responsibility Advisory Board, National Consumer Council, and Forum for the Future.

He holds vice-presidential posts in multiple organizations including the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, the United Nations Association, European Atlantic Group, and Protect Kent. His past presidencies include ENCAMS (Keep Britain Tidy), alongside trusteeships and vice-presidencies at Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and WWF. From 1993 to 2010, he chaired the Pilgrims Society.

As a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent and an ambassador for Kent, Worcester has also contributed as a non-executive director for both Kent Messenger Group and Medway Maritime Hospital NHS Trust. Following MORI’s takeover by French company Ipsos in 2005, he assumed chairmanship of Ipsos Public Affairs Research Advisory Board, served as an International Director within Ipsos Group, and from 2007 onward acted as senior advisor to Ipsos MORI.

Personal life

Worcester possesses dual citizenship in both America and Britain.

He resided with his wife Margaret at Allington Castle, a historic 13th-century fortress situated on Kent’s River Medway. Lady Margaret died peacefully on 20 December 2020 at age 87.

Awards and honours

He was honored with the title of Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 2005, recognizing his "exceptional contributions to political, social, and economic research as well as his influence on government policy."

Worcester holds the status of Honorary Fellow at both the London School of Economics and Political Science and King's College London. He has been awarded six honorary doctorates and received the Distinguished Graduate accolade from the University of Kansas.

External links

• LSE British Politics and Policy: Worcester's Blog – Robert Worcester’s blog focusing on political topics
• Public Opinion in Britain – Presentation by Robert Worcester at the 2001 Trilateral Commission conference
• Interviewed on ANN TV 2015 about the Magna Carta and democracy