Dean Forbes Tops Powerlist 2025 as Most Influential Black Briton

Dean Forbes, a self-made multimillionaire entrepreneur who faced homelessness twice in his teens, has topped the Powerlist 2025, which celebrates influential Black Britons. Rising from poverty in south-east London, Forbes’ career journey began humbly in a call center after his dreams of professional football ended at the Crystal Palace Academy. Today, he is the chief executive of Forterro, a Swedish software firm with an impressive annual revenue of €300 million.

Forbes attributes his resilience to the encouragement of his single mother, who instilled positivity and determination in him and his brothers despite their struggles. Early in his career, Forbes worked for Motorola, where he quickly rose through the ranks before taking equity stakes in software firms Primavera, KDS, and CoreHR, achieving substantial wealth each time. Now at Forterro, Forbes uses his success to inspire others, setting up the Forbes Family Group with his wife Danielle to support underserved communities by opening doors for young people who lack traditional opportunities.

Forbes’ achievement displaces British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful from the top spot on the Powerlist, which has highlighted Black role models since 2007. He is joined by other leaders, including Bernard Mensah, president of international at Bank of America, and Afua Kyei, chief financial officer at the Bank of England, with the top 10 list featuring trailblazers across finance, fashion, law, and technology.

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