From Homelessness to Success: Dean Forbes Tops the UK Powerlist

Dean Forbes, a man who overcame significant adversity, has topped the Powerlist 2025, which celebrates influential black Britons. Once homeless as a teenager, Forbes has transformed his life from “abject poverty” in southeast London to becoming a multimillionaire entrepreneur and the chief executive of Forterro, a Swedish software company.

Forbes’ journey began after his dreams of becoming a professional footballer fell through. He started his career working in a call center, where he demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. Despite his challenging upbringing in a single-parent household, his disabled mother instilled a sense of hope and positivity in him and his siblings. Forbes describes his childhood in Lewisham as a joyful experience, despite financial struggles, thanks to the supportive community that surrounded them.

Reflecting on his past, Forbes shares how his mother taught him and his two brothers not to be victims of their circumstances. They learned to raise their expectations and view challenges as temporary hurdles. Although he faced homelessness twice during his teenage years, he and his family remained optimistic, seeing these hardships as obstacles to overcome rather than insurmountable barriers.

Forbes briefly attended Crystal Palace Academy, but when his aspirations in football did not materialize, he considered it a pivotal moment that fueled his future successes. “Thanks to that disappointment and rejection, it put me on this path which is beyond my wildest dreams,” he said.

In an effort to manage his debts, which had climbed to £88,000 while trying to keep up with friends like footballer Rio Ferdinand, Forbes took a job at a Motorola call center. He quickly climbed the corporate ladder and later moved to Primavera, a software firm where he helped drive growth. His equity stake in Primavera proved lucrative when the company was sold to Oracle, making him a millionaire for the first time.

Following his success at Primavera, Forbes went on to lead two other software companies, KDS and CoreHR, again taking equity stakes and further increasing his wealth. Today, he holds an equity stake in Forterro, which generates over €300 million (£250 million) in annual revenue.

Despite his wealth, Forbes remains grounded and emphasizes the importance of financial prudence. He has been able to purchase a home for his mother and ensures that his children have not experienced the same hardships he faced growing up.

Forbes has forged friendships with well-known figures like Ferdinand and actor Idris Elba, but he stresses that his roots remain a significant part of his identity. He is committed to using his success to inspire others who may not have had the same advantages.

Together with his wife Danielle, Forbes founded the Forbes Family Group, a philanthropic organization aimed at empowering individuals in underserved communities. Their mission is to break the cycle of poverty and provide positive role models for young people. “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 to give people a chance,” he remarked.

Throughout his life, Forbes observed that the successful black figures he could see were often in entertainment or sports, and he aims to make business success more relatable. Through mentoring and networking initiatives, he hopes to inspire future generations to pursue careers in business.

Forbes’ recognition as number one on the Powerlist 2025 marks a significant achievement, moving up from the second position the previous year. The annual Powerlist, first published in 2007 by Powerful Media, aims to showcase role models for young black individuals in the UK.

Replacing British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful at the top of the list, Forbes joins a distinguished group of influential figures. The top 10 of the Powerlist for 2025 includes:

1. Dean Forbes, chief executive at software firm Forterro
2. Bernard Mensah, president of international at Bank of America
3. Afua Kyei, chief financial officer at the Bank of England
4. Emma Grede, chief executive at fashion brand Good American
5. Joshua Siaw, partner at law firm White & Case
6. Tunde Olanrewaju, senior partner at consultancy McKinsey
7. Alexander and Oliver Kent-Braham, founders of insurance firm Marshmallow
8. Adejoke Bakare, chef-owner at Michelin-starred restaurant Chishuru
9. Justin Onuekwusi, fund manager at St. James’s Place
10. Pamela Maynard, chief AI transformation officer at Microsoft

Forbes’ story is a powerful reminder of resilience and the importance of mentorship, proving that one’s background does not determine their future success.