Tonight, a gathering of prominent Black celebrities, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs in Britain will commemorate the achievements of Black Britons at the prestigious Powerlist 2025 awards ceremony.
The Powerlist, an annual ranking recognizing influential Black figures in the UK, has previously honored renowned individuals such as Sir Lewis Hamilton and Malorie Blackman for their positive impact on society. Established in 2005, the Powerlist aims to showcase Black role models and honor trailblazers across various sectors including the arts, technology, and entertainment.
Esteemed guests attending the event include Rudolph Walker from Eastenders, Oti Mabuse from Strictly Come Dancing, Dame Denise Lewis, and Sir Lenny Henry. The Powerlist Celebration of Black Excellence Awards will be hosted by Tim Campbell, MBE, at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London, where Dean Forbes, CEO of tech company Forterro, will be recognized as the most influential Black individual in Britain.
Forterro, a global software solutions company specializing in accelerating industrial business growth, is led by Dean Forbes, who also serves as a partner at Corten Capital. Additionally, Dean chairs the Forbes Family Group, a not-for-profit organization that has raised over one million pounds for charity and advocates for social mobility.
Expressing his gratitude for the prestigious title, Dean Forbes emphasized his journey from humble beginnings to leading global enterprises, highlighting the importance of resilience, community support, and seizing opportunities to inspire young Black individuals to pursue their dreams.
Furthermore, new additions to this year’s Powerlist include Andrew ‘Rapman’ Onwubolu, the creator of Netflix’s hit show Supacell, and Damson Idris from the crime drama Snowfall. The exclusive list also features notable figures like Idris Elba, Alex Scott, and Stormzy.
The Powerlist event, sponsored by JP Morgan, will be hosted by Tim Campbell MBE, providing inspiration and entertainment throughout the evening. Michael Eboda, CEO of Powerful Media, commended Dean Forbes for his community contributions, underscoring his exceptional dedication to supporting charitable causes through the Forbes Family Group Foundation.
Cecil Peters, EMEA Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at JPMorgan Chase, praised the Powerlist for highlighting the extraordinary Black talent in the UK and reiterated the firm’s commitment to promoting diversity and recognizing excellence across industries.