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Dean Forbes
Dean Forbes is one of Europe's most successful transformational tech leaders.
In a 20-year-career marked by many high points, he has successfully transformed several tech firms, building them into success stories for investors by delivering over €2bn in exit transactions.
Dean currently serves as CEO of Forterro, a European focused software company, which under Dean’s leadership achieved aspirational ‘Tech Unicorn’ status in February 2022 when it was acquired by Partners Group for €1bn and will cross the €2bn valuation mark by the end of 2024 as the company continues to grow at an accelerated rate.
Dean is also a Partner at private equity firm, Corten Capital, as well as being Chairman of his foundation, Forbes Family Group (FFG) which provides social mobility opportunities to young people from similar background to Dean.
In 2023 and 2024 Dean was ranked second on the J.P.Morgan sponsored Powerlist, which recognises the UKs most powerful and influential black people. He has also been named one of the UK’s 50 most ambitious business leaders by Lloyds Banking Group and The Daily Telegraph and was named Tech CEO of the Year by global accounting firm PWC.
The twice homeless leader is a champion for social mobility and an active philanthropist. His work is widely admired by community leaders, business leaders and politicians alike as he remains one of the UKs few high-profile leaders who are so active on community projects and programs.
Dean sits on the board of charity ACLT, Venture Capital firm Cornerstone as well as Chairing the Forbes Family Group.
Dean has appeared on Bloomberg, BBC TV, Sky News, ITV London, BBC Radio, Times Radio, The Guardian, The Times, and in many other business and tech media outlets and podcasts sharing his views on tech, growth, and social mobility.