FFG Chairman Dean Forbes named second most influential Black person in Britain by The Powerlist 2023

Forbes Family Group is excited to share the news that our Chairman Dean Forbes, has today been listed as no.2 on The Powerlist 2023, published by Powerful Media in partnership with J.P Morgan. He is joined in the top three by Dame Sharon White, chair, John Lewis Partnership, who was judged in first position and Anne Mensah of Netflix. 

The significant annual ranking spotlights the most powerful people of African, African Caribbean and African American heritage in Britain across a range of sectors including business, politics, technology and science. 

As Chief executive of Forterro, a European provider of software solutions to more than 11,000 small and midsized industrial companies, Dean has made his name transforming technology companies and taking them to billion Euro exit, enriching and inspiring for employees and investors. He is among a very small number of CEOs in Europe to have delivered high value-growth consistently, across multiple transactions in his career. Most recently, Forterro changed hands in March 2022 for €1bn, joining Europe’s growing numbers of ‘Tech Unicorns,’ making Dean one of only a handful of Black leaders globally to run a billion Euro company.

As our Chairman, this award goes towards recognising Dean’s community driven philanthropic work. Forbes Family Group (FFG) provides community investment, networking and professional and social development support to young people, professionals and entrepreneurs from under-represented backgrounds. FFG has helped more than 1,170 young people directly move from difficult situations into education or into promising careers and connected and inspired 1000s more.

“To be recognised so highly in this year’s Powerlist, amongst such esteemed talent is an incredible honour for me,” said Forbes. “People from all underrepresented and marginalised communities should be given the opportunities and platforms elevate and celebrate their successes and be examples and guides to those coming behind them.” He continued: “For those of us who’ve found our way, let’s now be there to offer coaching, support and opportunity for those starting out.”

Dean is also a partner at Corten Capital advising the firm on European technology acquisitions and is a member of their deal review committee. He has agreed with Corten Capital that it will increase its support for founders and entrepreneurs from under-represented communities. In addition, Forbes is a board trustee of the London-based African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust.  Through FFG, Dean has created networking and mentoring initiatives and most recently is developing a Business ‘infotainment’ channel ‘Captable’.  Captable will provide an outlet for aspiring content creators and a platform for business industry leaders from a host of sectors and backgrounds to share their knowledge and insights with our unique FFG community.  

Forbes Family Group CEO, Davina Williamson commented, “Through FFG, Dean has affirmed his commitment to providing real opportunities for development and growth for those who face societal challenges that can hamper their paths to success.   Directly addressing and engaging our young cohorts through our community and platforms, has shown just how important this accolade is to the many from similar backgrounds trying to reach their own professional goals.  Receiving this prestigious award as a Tech CEO, and seeing the impact of his career story on the many young professionals whom we connect with, has spurred Dean and all of us here at FFG to create even more platforms and initiatives to inspire the next generation of Powerlist honourees”