Dean Forbes has risen from homeless teenager to become the UK’s most influential black person.
The former aspiring professional footballer grew-up in south-east London, in a single-parent family which was “economically challenged”.
When his contract with Crystal Palace Football Club came to an abrupt end at the age of 17, he took a job in telesales in a Motorola call centre.
It was to be the first step on the ladder of a hugely successful business career, which has led to him to top the Powerlist 2025.
He said: “To be named number one on the Powerlist is an incredible honour. My journey, from growing up in south east London to leading global businesses, has shown me the power of resilience, the importance of community, and seizing every opportunity.
“I hope my story can inspire others from similar backgrounds to believe in their potential and work hard to achieve their dreams.”
Who is Dean Forbes?
Mr Forbes was born in Lewisham in October 1978 and spent his childhood on an estate in south-east London.
His mother brought up him and his two younger brothers single-handedly. They faced hardship financially as she was not always able to work after being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.
Twice the family found themselves homeless as he was growing up but he still managed to pass 10 GCSEs at school.
A talented footballer, he had a contract with local team Crystal Palace FC. But his contract was terminated after an injury and he took a job with mobile phone firm Motorola in telesales to pay off debts.
He has credited “the disappointment and rejection” from his failed football career with putting him “on this path which is beyond my wildest dreams”.
Rising up the ranks at Motorola, he eventually left to work for Philadelphia-based technology firm Primavera.
His first major breakthrough came at the age of 29, when he played a key role in the global expansion of the US software firm, leading to its sale to Oracle for $550m.
He then became CEO of KDS, a travel and expense management software company, which was bought by American Express.
After that he became CEO of another software firm CoreHR, which was eventually acquired by The Access Group.
At the age of 46, he is now chief executive of software firm Forterro and partner in the private equity firm Corten Capital.
He and wife Danielle have also established the Forbes Family Group (FFG), a not-for-profit organisation that supports a wide range of charities and causes.
It recently held a gala for the African Leukaemia Trust (ACLT), raising over £400,000 in one night.
Mr Forbes said: “It’s truly beyond anything I could have imagined that a black, working-class man from south east London could rise from where I started to where I am now – growing businesses and driving social change through my family foundation.
“My journey was shaped by those who believed in me and opened doors, and now I’m determined to pay it forward.
“I want to provide opportunities for young people who, like me, need that extra support to achieve their potential.”
The father-of-three added his mission now is “to use my experience and resources to create lasting, meaningful impact in underserved communities.”
Who else is on the Powerlist?
The Powerlist was first published by Powerful Media in 2007 in a bid to provide professional role models for young people.
It has been published annually ever since, recognising the UK’s most powerful people of African, African Caribbean and African American heritage, who are making significant contributions across business, politics, science, technology and the arts.
Judges choose them based on their “ability to positively alter events and change lives as demonstrated over a reasonable period of time”.
Each new nominee is marked out of 10 on two indices – how influential they are in their immediate sphere of expertise and how far their influence reaches beyond that.
Former editor-in-chief of British Vogue Edward Enninful, seven-time Formula One world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton and former Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman have all topped the list in the past.
Dean Forbes was selected to top the list for 2025.
Michael Eboda, CEO of Powerful Media which publishes the Powerlist, said: “Dean Forbes exemplifies the heights that can be reached through determination, leadership, but what really sets him apart is his commitment to giving back.
“His accomplishments in business and philanthropy make him a truly deserving number one on this year’s Powerlist.”
The Powerlist 2025 top ten are:
- Dean Forbes – Forterro chief executive, Corten Capital partner, Forbes Family Group chair
- Bernard Mensah – Bank of America president of international ,MLI chief executive
- Afua Kyei – Bank of England chief financial officer,
- Emma Grede – Good American chief executive and co-founder, Skims founding partner
- Joshua Siaw, MBE – White & Case partner
- Tunde Olanrewaju – McKinsey & Company senior partner
- Alexander and Oliver Kent-Braham – Marshmallow founders
- Adejoke Bakare – Chef-owner of Chishuru, Michelin-starred restaurant
- Justin Onuekwusi – St James’s Place chief investment officer
- Pamela Maynard – Microsoft chief AI transformation officer