Dean Forbes is the CEO of Forterro, Chairman of the Forbes Family Group, and a Partner at Corten Capital. He has built a distinguished career by leading tech companies through major transformations, resulting in over €2 billion in successful exits. Often investing alongside other limited partners, he focuses on identifying and scaling promising software ventures. Currently, he is guiding Forterro towards a €4 billion valuation. In addition to his leadership roles, Dean sits on the board at Cornerstone Venture Capital, where he advocates for diversity and inclusion in the business world, while also promoting social mobility and opportunity.
Discover more below on the inspiring journey of our Chairman Dean Forbes.
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Dean combines determination with empathy in a way that’s reshaping what leadership looks like today. As one of the few Black CEOs leading a company worth over €2 billion, his journey from a working-class neighbourhood in Southeast London to the top of Forterro shows resilience and a commitment to community. He’s proving that you can be both a successful business leader and deeply compassionate, with a focus on giving back.
Dean’s success is deeply rooted in the values he learned from his community. Growing up, he was surrounded by people who supported each other, and his mother’s selflessness had a huge impact on him. From an early age, he found creative ways to solve problems, which later became central to his career. Now, through the Forbes Family Group, he’s focused on making sure his community has access to the resources they need, partnering with local groups to make a real difference.
Dean isn’t afraid to stand up for diversity, even when the stakes are high. During a multi-million-pound deal, he paused the negotiations because he was the only Black person in the room. He insisted on a more diverse group before continuing. His bold move created opportunities for two young Black men to witness the deal, one of whom went on to work at a top bank. Dean believes in using his platform to open doors for others, just as others have done for him.
Even with his success, Dean stays connected to his roots. He attends events like the Grime Gala, enjoys watching football with Idris Elba, and even parties with old friends from his neighbourhood. He’s proud of his background and believes in bringing his authentic self to the boardroom. He’s pushing for young Black professionals to do the same dress how they want, speak openly, and feel comfortable being themselves in corporate settings.
Dean’s work ethic is driven by what he calls his “Batman moments,” where he runs on just a few hours of sleep to keep up with his many responsibilities. His ability to stay hyper-organized and focused allows him to juggle multiple tasks while making big decisions. Inspired by figures like Barack Obama and Steve Jobs, he surrounds himself with a solid team so he can focus on making an impact, both in business and for the people around him.
Dean realized he could make more change through business than politics. After a frustrating meeting with a former Prime Minister, he shifted his focus to building the Forbes Family Group, using it to support minority-owned businesses and community initiatives. Now, he’s chasing the title of the UK’s top tech CEO while making sure social mobility and giving back are at the heart of everything he does.
By age 29, Dean had already helped sell a company to Oracle for $550 million. He went on to lead successful ventures like KDS and CoreHR, eventually becoming the CEO of Forterro, now valued at €2 billion. His business track record is impressive, but what sets him apart is his dedication to blending business with meaningful social change, using his success to lift others up along the way.
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