Elevating Ebony Excellence - Dean Forbes

I was elated to be at the UK Black Business Show on its last day to be lead and fed by some inspiring and rich black leaders.

Dean Forbes , CEO of Forterro, was one of those exceptional leaders. Rising from homeless and helpless to fortune and fame in 20 years. He was an aspiring professional footballer in the ranks of Crystal Palace academic but did not feel sufficiently motivated. Finally, a series of injuries forced him to leave.? That was beginning of his pursuit towards business success.? He has built a 2 billion dollar empire, recognised as one of Britain's best leader, mentor and champions of social mobility. What does it take to build such strength of character?

·???????? Being homeless twice in his life and burdened with significant debt were key drivers for him to find a way to financial freedom.

·???????? His march started as a junior in the Motorola call-centre, similar path to Steven Bartlett . It certainly points to the benefits of sharpening his selling skills, undaunted by hearing a “no”,? relentless to find a “yes”. Within 4 years, he was able to buy his mother a house of her own.

·???????? Having been mentored by the majors in the industry coupled with a strong work ethic, Dean is always striving for the next big deal. His aim is to double the value of his current businesses to 4 billion dollars.

·???????? He learns from his mistakes, but does not dwell to long on his failures, moving swiftly on to the next challenge.

·???????? Dean thrives on high risk venture capital projects with potentially ?rich rewards. Although complex and challenging, he is able to see and pursue a pathway to profit.

·???????? The global tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many CEOs to evolve. Previously, CEOs were happy to operate remotely and dictatorially . Now, its wise for them to connect closer with their employees, understanding their needs and skillset while cascading the business vision. A shared vision provides a platform for employees to sharpen the precision of their contribution.

·???????? He recognises that “people” is his key resource. He has cultivated teams with deep wells of experience and is willing to search for new blood that bridges skill-gaps and provides added enthusiasm for the business vision.

·???????? Dean is always aiming for the moon, knowing that his tenacity and momentum will always take him and his businesses beyond the clouds.