Dean Forbes Named Most Influential Black Briton On UK’s Powerlist 2025

Dean Forbes, CEO of software company Forterro, has claimed the top spot on the UK’s Powerlist 2025, recognizing him as the most influential Black individual in Britain. 

Known for his  rise from homelessness to the helm of a €2 billion software company, Forbes’ journey has been seen as one of remarkable perseverance, entrepreneurial spirit, and philanthropy.

Transforming Challenges into Career Milestones

Forbes born in southeast London in 1978,  recalls a challenging upbringing with financial hardships and a mother battling muscular dystrophy. 

As a teenager, he navigated periods of homelessness but maintained his focus on education, achieving ten GCSEs and developing his first business ventures. 

At 17, he began his career in telesales at Motorola, quickly excelling and advancing through the ranks. 

He later joined Primavera, where he led international growth and contributed to its eventual $550 million sale to Oracle.

Now the CEO of Forterro, Forbes also serves as a partner at private equity firm Corten Capital and oversees the Forbes Family Group, a philanthropic foundation that raised over £400,000 this year for the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust. 

Forterro, which, according to its website, offers “highly specialised software products and services designed to help industrial businesses strengthen operations and accelerate growth”, is valued at £1.7bn.

Forbes describes his latest recognition as a “career and professional high,” one that he hopes will inspire others from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue success beyond traditional fields.

Redefining Black Influence in Business and Tech

Forbes frequently recalls being the only Black person in high-stakes boardrooms, a reality that fueled his desire to open doors for others. 

In one instance, he even paused a major deal meeting to bring in two promising talents, later watching both progress into senior roles. 

He believes that as a Black leader in tech, he has an opportunity to model alternative paths for young Black professionals, showing them that the tech and business sectors hold endless possibilities.

“I’ve got a platform and an opportunity now to demonstrate and practise a very different narrative,” Forbes shared in an interview with The Guardian. 

Rather than defaulting to stereotypes of Black success in entertainment or sports, he aspires to inspire young professionals by highlighting diverse career paths.

The 2025 Powerlist Celebrates a Range of Black Achievements

This year’s Powerlist recognized a wide range of Black British talent. Joining Forbes in the top rankings are finance heavyweights Bernard Mensah, president of International at Bank of America, and Afua Kyei, the chief financial officer at the Bank of England. 

Other celebrated names include Emma Grede, the co-founder of Kim Kardashian’s Skims, and Adejoké Bakare, the UK’s first Black female Michelin-starred chef.

Feature Image Credit: Business Chief