Britain’s prominent Black celebrities, leaders, and entrepreneurs will assemble tonight to honor the achievements of Black individuals at the Powerlist 2025 awards ceremony. Notable past recipients of the Powerlist include seven-time Formula One World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton and former Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman. The Powerlist, an annual ranking recognizing the most influential Black figures in the UK, highlights their positive contributions to society.
Established in 2005, the Powerlist aims to showcase Black role models to inspire young people and acknowledge pioneers in various sectors such as arts, technology, and entertainment. Esteemed guests attending the event encompass personalities like Eastenders star Rudolph Walker, Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse, former Olympian Dame Denise Lewis, and comedian Sir Lenny Henry.
The Powerlist Celebration of Black Excellence Awards, hosted by entrepreneur and TV personality Tim Campbell, MBE, will celebrate this year’s Powerlistees at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Dean Forbes, the CEO of tech company Forterro, has been recognized as the most influential Black individual in Britain this year.
Forterro, a global software solutions firm, specializes in products and services tailored to enhance the growth of industrial enterprises. Dean Forbes, also a partner at Corten Capital, leads the not-for-profit Forbes Family Group, which has raised over one million pounds for charitable causes and advocates for social mobility.
Expressing his gratitude for the prestigious title, 46-year-old Dean Forbes shared, “To be ranked number one on the Powerlist is a tremendous honor. My journey, from humble beginnings in southeast London to leading global corporations, exemplifies the power of resilience, community support, and seizing opportunities.” Forbes aims to inspire young Black individuals by showcasing his journey and providing opportunities for those in need of support.
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. Noteworthy figures highlighted on the list comprise actor Idris Elba OBE, former footballer Alex Scott MBE, and rapper Stormzy.
Sponsored by JP Morgan, the Black excellence event will be overseen by Tim Campbell MBE, winner of The Apprentice, to keep guests inspired and entertained throughout the evening.
Michael Eboda, CEO of Powerful Media, commended Dean Forbes for his philanthropic efforts, emphasizing his commitment to giving back to the community. Cecil Peters, EMEA Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at JPMorganChase, lauded the Powerlist for showcasing exceptional Black talent in the UK and reiterated the company’s dedication to supporting diversity and inclusivity initiatives.
The Powerlist continues to serve as a platform recognizing Black excellence in the UK, reflecting the commitment of partners like JPMorganChase to showcase and uplift diverse talent across various industries.
