Dean Forbes, born on June 15, 1970, in South London, endured a challenging journey from homelessness and debt to becoming the CEO of a billion-dollar business within 20 years. His story is one of resilience, determination, and transformative success.
Forbes faced homelessness twice during his teenage years, the first time at the age of 14, escaping what he describes as a "terrible family situation." The second time was even more challenging, as his mother, despite her disability, lost her job, leading to the family losing their home. These experiences profoundly affected Forbes, emphasizing the emotional toll of losing a physical shelter and a sanctuary from difficult circumstances.
Initially aspiring to be a professional footballer, Forbes realized that his future lay elsewhere when he failed to dedicate himself to the sport as much as his friends did. He recognized the life-threatening consequences of his mounting debt and shifted his focus to the professional working environment.
Forbes entered the corporate world through a junior call center sales role, gradually climbing the ranks. He attributes his success to a relentless work ethic, resilience learned from hardships, and the understanding that work is a privilege. His reputation as an executive leader with a high tolerance for challenges stems from his early experiences, making him sought after by private equity firms.
Having played key roles in selling companies like Primavera Systems to Oracle and KDS to American Express, Forbes became the CEO of Forterro in March 2021. Within a year, he oversaw its acquisition by Partners Group, with an enterprise value of around $1 billion.
Forbes envisions Forterro 3.0, aiming to unify the 12 companies within the group into one, transforming it into a $4 billion business. Despite external challenges, Forbes embraces complex projects with high upside potential, emphasizing the satisfaction of overcoming difficulties.
As the role of a CEO evolves, especially amid global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crises, Forbes highlights the importance of effective communication. He acknowledges the increased pressure on leaders to understand employees' sentiments and values.
Looking ahead, Forbes recognizes that people are the biggest challenge in Forterro's journey to becoming a multi-billion-dollar company. Balancing heritage and expertise with the need for new talent is a crucial aspect of the following steps for Forterro and Forbes.
Dean Forbes' career journey reflects a trajectory from telesales at Motorola to leading international business units, navigating turnarounds, and eventually becoming the CEO of Forterro. His best advice to others is to "always be authentic," emphasizing the importance of aligning actions with personal values.