# Justin Bakes

> Justin Bakes is the Boston-based co-founder and executive chairman of Forward Financing. A Boston College finance graduate and former UBS investment banker and Watsco acquisitions director, he co-founded Forward in 2012 and led it as CEO for twelve years. He became executive chairman in January 2025, when Jason Mullins took over as president and CEO.

- **Role:** Co-founder and Executive Chairman at Forward Financing
- **Organizations:** Forward Financing, Watsco, Inc., UBS Investment Bank, 1st Merchant Funding, Young Presidents’ Organization
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Finance, Boston College
- **Known for:** Led Forward Financing as CEO for twelve years from its 2012 founding., EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 finalist in New England., Forward ranked No. 15 on the 2017 Inc. 5000 during his CEO tenure.

## Career timeline

- **2003** — Graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Science in Finance.
- **Before 2008** — Worked in investment banking at UBS, advising on transactions in Europe and Latin America.
- **2008-2011** — Director of Mergers and Acquisitions at Watsco; led acquisitions that helped double company revenue.
- **2011** — Appointment as CEO of 1st Merchant Funding reported in May.
- **2012** — Co-founded Forward Financing in Boston and became CEO.
- **2014** — Forward established its Santiago, Dominican Republic office.
- **2019** — Named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year New England finalist.
- **2024** — Announced planned CEO succession in August.
- **2025** — Became executive chairman in January; Jason Mullins became president and CEO.

## Achievements

- Led Forward Financing as CEO for twelve years from its 2012 founding.
- EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 finalist in New England.
- Forward ranked No. 15 on the 2017 Inc. 5000 during his CEO tenure.
- Led Watsco acquisitions from 2008 to 2011 that helped the company double its revenue.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Forward reported $5.4 billion delivered to more than 100,000 small businesses since 2012, during Bakes’s executive chairmanship.
- **2025-01** — Became executive chairman as Jason Mullins joined as president and CEO.

## Links

- Website: https://www.forwardfinancing.com/team-members/justin-bakes/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinbakes

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/justin-bakes
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23