Toy World is sad to report the passing of Mark Sharp of Outsourced Sales Solutions.

Mark, who also worked with Brainstorm, passed away on 9th February at the age of 57. David Lartner, director at OSS, and Nick Saunders of Brainstorm, for which Mark was an agent, shared some words with Toy World.

David said: “It is with great sadness and utter shock that we have to announce the sudden passing of Mark Sharp.

“Mark was a well-travelled man, living and working around the world in Australia and Far East, who met the love of his life, Annie, whilst in a Kibbutz in the Middle East. Mark was always bursting with pride for his two wonderful daughters, Amber and Imogen, and was always talking about them and their futures.

“Mark was a valued member of the OSS team and will be greatly missed. He was a much loved agent by his customers and as one said to me earlier: he was the type of guy you wanted to go and have a beer with.

“On his return from his travels, with Annie on his arm, Mark started his career in the toy trade, first working with Ty Beanies and then with Schleich. He joined OSS in 2015. At OSS Mark was more than a work colleague – we were a band of brothers who loved supporting our customers and then enjoyed our many nights out and weekends away. We were a family and this is devastating to write.

“Our love and support are with Annie, Amber and Imogen and the rest of Mark’s family and friends at this truly sad time.”

Nick Saunders told Toy World: “The entire Brainstorm team is absolutely devastated. Mark has worked for us for many years and I have known him ever since I came into the toy trade. He was a delight to work with and we will all miss him immensely – as will all of his customers. It hardly seems believable that we were with him all through Toy Fair, and now he has gone so suddenly.”

Toy World would like to add its condolences to Mark’s family and everyone who knew and worked with him.