Bertil Hult
Bertil Eric Hult | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 10, 1941 Stockholm, Sweden |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, philanthropist |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Known for | Founder of EF Education First, benefactor of Hult International Business School |
Bertil Eric Hult (born February 10, 1941) is a Swedish billionaire and the founder of the international education corporation EF Education First, established in 1965. He is also the benefactor and eponym of Hult International Business School. In 1971, Hult moved from Sweden to Germany, and six years later, in 1977, he set up EF’s main office in Lucerne, Switzerland, where he currently lives. He held the position of EF's CEO until 2002 and remained chairman until 2008 before transitioning to a semi-retired status. Two of his four sons have taken on executive roles within the company: Philip Hult serves as chairman, while Edward Hult acts as CEO for North America. Under his guidance, EF developed into a multi-billion-dollar organization employing over 40,000 people in 53 countries.
Early life and education
Hult was born in Stockholm and faced challenges with dyslexia during his youth. After leaving school following junior high, he worked in London where he acquired English through immersive experience—an approach that later influenced his business philosophy. He briefly enrolled at Lund University but departed after one academic year.
Career
At age 23, Hult launched EF Education First from the basement of his dormitory in Lund as a language study and travel program designed for Swedish students learning English abroad. His own struggle with dyslexia strengthened his conviction in immersive language acquisition techniques.
Hult remained at the helm of EF as CEO until 2002 and as chairman until 2008. During this period, the company expanded into a global leader in education with more than 40,000 staff members operating upwards of 500 schools and programs worldwide. EF continues to grow its offerings including language schools, the online platform EF Englishtown, au pair services, student travel opportunities, and international exchange programs. The organization is connected to Hult International Business School, which carries Bertil Hult’s name.
EF Education First continues to be fully owned by Hult and his family. As of March 2015, Forbes valued Bertil Hult’s fortune at approximately US$5 billion. Outside of his business ventures, he is passionate about sailing; his vessel EF Language won the 1998 Whitbread Round the World Race under skipper Paul Cayard. Additionally, his yacht Erica XII famously hosted Swedish Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel during their honeymoon.
Hult has received several honors including being named International Swede of the Year in 2006, awarded the Lucia Trade Award by the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in 2012 for advancing free trade between Sweden and the United States, and recognized as a Laureate by the World Entrepreneurship Forum in 2014 for his entrepreneurial contributions to society.
Charity work
Apart from his business activities, Hult has been involved with philanthropic efforts focused on drug abuse prevention and dyslexia education. In 1993, he co-established the Geneva-based Mentor Foundation, an independent NGO dedicated to research and initiatives aimed at preventing drug abuse; he has served as both chairman and trustee there. He also supports the Bertil Hult Prize, which has been awarded annually since 2003 to Swedish schools demonstrating excellence in dyslexia education.
Hult is a patron of the Hult Prize, an international business school competition offering US$1 million in prize money, organized by Hult International Business School and endorsed by the United Nations. The Hult family also founded EF’s Global Classroom Foundation with the goal of reconstructing elementary schools in regions affected by conflict or hardship.
Personal life
Since 1974, Hult has been married to Lisbeth Hult. The couple has four sons and lives in Lucerne, Switzerland. Among their children, Philip and Eddie play key roles in managing EF Education First.
See also
- List of people and organisations named in the Paradise Papers
- EF Education First
- Hult International Business School
- Hult Prize