Dean Forbes: From rags to riches: Dean Forbes crowned UK’s most influential Black person
Dean Forbes, who transformed his life from homelessness to helming a billion-euro tech company, has just been named the UK’s most influential Black individual.
Forbes, who is now 45 years old, leads Forterro, a software company worth €2 billion (£1.7 billion). His leadership has earned him a top spot on the Powerlist 2025, which recognizes influential Black individuals in various fields.
His recognition on the list, which celebrates leaders in business, technology, the arts, and more, reflects his journey from challenging beginnings to inspiring success.
Established in 2006, the Powerlist celebrates Black excellence across fields such as business, science, and the arts, aiming to inspire young people with role models from diverse sectors.
As one of the few Black CEOs globally to lead a billion-euro company, Forbes not only heads Forterro but also contributes as a partner at private equity firm Corten Capital. Additionally, he leads the Forbes Family Group (FFG), a charitable initiative that has raised over £400,000 this year alone for causes like the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust.
As per BBC, Forbes shared fond memories of his childhood in south-east London, where he recalled joyful times at community playgrounds and local youth clubs despite the economic challenges.
Raised by a single mother with muscular dystrophy, he acknowledged how these early hardships shaped his resilient outlook. Even during school, he displayed entrepreneurial flair by running a barber shop and selling self-designed belts to classmates.
Forbes faced further adversity in his teenage years, experiencing homelessness while striving to build a future. Though he initially pursued a career in football, an injury shifted his path towards a role at Motorola, where he quickly climbed the ranks.
He later joined Primavera, a technology firm where he played a key role in expanding its international division, leading to its sale to Oracle for $550m (£424m).
Forbes’ ascent from adversity is central to his passion for inspiring young Black Britons to pursue diverse career paths beyond entertainment or sports.
Although he claims that he has not encountered overt racism, he often finds himself as the only Black person in professional settings.
He has leveraged this platform to advocate for greater inclusivity, even pausing meetings to encourage his team to bring in individuals who could benefit from exposure to high-level discussions. This approach has enabled talented individuals to advance in their careers, a testament to Forbes’ commitment to broadening opportunities.
Forbes shares the Powerlist’s top ranks with Bernard Mensah, President of International at Bank of America, and Afua Kyei, Chief Financial Officer at the Bank of England.
Noteworthy newcomers on the Powerlist this year include Emma Grede, co-founder of the fashion brand Skims; Adejoké Bakare, the first Black female Michelin-starred chef in the UK; and Andrew “Rapman” Onwubolu, creator of the Netflix series ‘Supacell’.
