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The most recent of these was in March 2022, when under Dean’s leadership Forterro changed hands for €1bn, joining Europe’s growing numbers of ‘Tech Unicorns.’ Dean is one of very few CEOs in Europe to have achieved such value across multiple transactions.
Dean has been named one of the UK’s 50 most ambitious business leaders by Lloyds Banking Group and The Daily Telegraph. He was also named in the J.P.Morgan sponsored Powerlist 2021, 2022 and 2023 as one of the 100 most influential Black people in the UK.
At Forterro, Dean is currently leading huge potential for expansion. This is being achieved through a programme of both acquisitions and organic growth. The European-focused software company serves more than 11,000 small and midsized industrial companies and employs 1,600 people. Additionally, Dean is a partner at Corten Capital where he advises the firm on European technology acquisitions. He is also a member of their deal review committee. Part of Dean’s agreement with Corten Capital is that it will increase its support for founders and entrepreneurs from under-represented communities.
In terms of his early career, Dean secured his first job in the IT industry in his early 20s. By age 29, he had played a major role in the international growth of US software firm Primavera and was instrumental in its sale to Oracle for a reported $550m.
This led to a CEO role at KDS, a travel and expense management software company, which was acquired by American Express in the largest technology deal Amex had ever closed at the time.
Dean then became CEO at CoreHR, a cloud-based HR and payroll solutions provider, driving its growth and then acquisition by the Access Group. There he took the role of president, leading the successful integration of CoreHR into Access and establishing what is now the Access People division.
Dean is highly passionate about issues around social mobility and philanthropy and actively supports those with similar backgrounds to his own. Twice homeless and a primary carer in his teens for his disabled mother, Dean now campaigns and invests to level the playing field for the UK’s under-served communities through his not-for-profit foundation – The Forbes Family Group (FFG).
The foundation provides investment, networking and development support to young people and entrepreneurs from under-represented backgrounds. FFG has helped more than 1,170 young people move from difficult situations into education or into promising careers. FFG also donates meals, nappies and baby clothes to mothers in need and is an investor in a chain of not-for-profit pre- and after-school clubs which provide free childcare for parents facing financial hardship.
Dean is also a board trustee of the London-based African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust.
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Charlie provides bespoke wealth management solutions aiming to achieve his clients’ individual goals. Clients benefit from his 20 years’ experience in the city assisting professionals & business owners through their careers and beyond. Building a relationship of trust is the foundation of his approach. His relationship with each client starts with listening, establishing values to be adhered to and from which he can build a bespoke strategy.
Outside of work, Charlie keeps fit going to the gym , playing golf and competing in Triathlon events. He relaxes by watching any live sport but will never miss an English International Rugby match.
Alexandre is a Principal in the Corten Capital investment team. Prior to joining Corten, Alexandre was a Vice President in the Technology, Financial and Business Services vertical at Bain Capital, one of the world’s largest private equity firms. During his time at Bain Capital, Alexandre focused on buyout investments across Europe, spanning multiple sectors including B2B software, business services, industrials and consumer retail. He also played a key role supporting several portfolio companies across growth, turnaround and M&A strategies as well as leading on various financing and capital markets transactions. Prior to this, Alexandre was a consultant with The Boston Consulting Group in London where he worked on a number of private equity due diligence projects as well transformation projects for companies in TMT and retail. Before that, he worked as a credit hybrids trader within J.P. Morgan’s Global Markets division.
David McQueen is passionate about developing leaders. A family man first, he is the husband of one, father of two and friend of many. He has founded and cofounded a number of businesses including Q Squared, Black Founders Hub and Evermoor and sits as a Non Exec on the advisory board of many companies offering support on leadership and financial competence.
In his work as an Executive Coach, Facilitator, Board Advisor and International Speaker, he has worked with corporates and non profit organisations worldwide to develop their senior leaders and managers. His clients include Facebook, Google, Shopify, Lloyds, HSBC, Mercedes Benz, Sky, BMW, Uber, Fidelity Investments, EY Foundation and Barnardo’s.
David is also an Angel Investor, Mentor, Host of the BRAVE Leader podcast, a three times TEDx speaker and is currently writing his first book on leadership and never works on a Saturday!
Timothy Armoo was the founder of Fanbytes, a company he started in university at 21 helping brands like Nike, Samsung, and Deliveroo engage with Gen Z through influencers. In 5 years, Timo grew the company to an award-winning team of 70 people leading campaigns like the Government’s messaging on covid in 2020. In May 2022, Timo Fanbytes was acquired by global digital agency Brainlabs in an 8-figure acquisition. His expertise in brand building and social media has seen him win many accolades including being Forbes 30u30 cover star, the social media person of the year by The Drum and most influential people in media by Evening Standard.