Dean Forbes, once a homeless teenager in a rough South London estate, has been named the most influential Black Briton on the Powerlist 2025, a prestigious ranking celebrating the top Black role models in the UK. His journey from poverty to the CEO of Forterro, a €300 million software company, underscores his resilience and drive to redefine success against the odds.
Forbes grew up on a housing estate in Lewisham, raised by a single mother who encouraged him and his siblings to dream beyond their circumstances. “My mom taught us never to be victims,” Forbes told the BBC. “She always gave us hope.” Despite financial hardships, he recalls his community as one of solidarity and support, where neighbors looked out for each other. Twice homeless as a teenager, he considered those setbacks temporary and used them as motivation to strive for more.
Like many young men, Forbes initially dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. Accepted into the Crystal Palace Academy, he was determined to make his mark, but things didn’t work out as planned. His release from the academy was a devastating blow that forced him to pivot. It was a pivotal moment that, in hindsight, he credits as the beginning of his entrepreneurial path. “Thanks to that disappointment and rejection, it put me on this path which is beyond my wildest dreams,” he said.
Struggling to keep up with friends who were already earning high wages in professional sports, including then-footballer Rio Ferdinand, Forbes found himself in significant debt—an estimated £88,000. He took a job in a Motorola call center to start paying it off, and he quickly rose through the ranks. This entry into the business world marked the start of a new chapter. Driven by a relentless work ethic, Forbes began working for a software firm called Primavera, where he secured an equity stake. When Primavera was acquired by Oracle, Forbes made his first millions.
Over time, he continued to advance, holding CEO roles in software companies such as KDS and CoreHR, each time taking equity positions that further increased his wealth. Today, as CEO of Forterro, Forbes oversees a company that generates more than €300 million in revenue annually. Reflecting on his success, Forbes says he has always stayed grounded. “I never wanted to lose the value of a pound,” he explained. His achievements have allowed him to buy a home for his mother and provide a different life for his own children, free from the financial struggles he once knew.
Forbes’s achievements are not just personal; they are part of a broader mission to uplift others. Together with his wife, Danielle, he co-founded the Forbes Family Group, a philanthropic organization focused on empowering people from underserved communities. Their work aims to break cycles of poverty by providing positive role models and practical support. “My experience has made me painfully aware that there is so much talent in these communities—you just need to open the door a crack,” Forbes said.
Having seen how success stories in his youth were often limited to entertainment, sports, or even gang life, Forbes is committed to making business success relatable and attainable for the next generation. Through mentoring and networking projects, he seeks to make the world of business accessible to young Black people who might not otherwise consider it a viable path.
Forbes’s rise to the top of the Powerlist follows his second-place position last year. He succeeds British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, underscoring his impact and influence within the Black community. Since its first publication in 2007, the Powerlist has celebrated Black leaders who provide inspiration and serve as role models for young people.
