Hideaki Fukutake

Hideaki Fukutake
Hideaki Fukutake
Born	circa 1977; Okayama, Japan
Occupation(s)	Businessman, arts supporter
Known for	CEO of STILL; director at Benesse Holdings; chair of the Fukutake Foundation

Hideaki Fukutake (born circa 1977) is a businessman and arts supporter of Japanese-New Zealand heritage, residing in New Zealand since 2009. He serves as the CEO of STILL, a New Zealand-based company dedicated to harnessing local opportunities to promote art, culture, and community development through commercial ventures, social enterprises, and various projects. Additionally, Fukutake holds a directorship at Japan's Benesse Holdings and chairs the Fukutake Foundation, which oversees Benesse Art Site Naoshima and plays a major role in the globally acclaimed Setouchi Triennale.

Early years

Raised in Okayama, Japan, Fukutake completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree at Chuo University.

Family

Since relocating in 2009, Fukutake has made his home in Auckland, New Zealand, where he lives with his wife and three children.

His family is well-known for their development of the Benesse Art Site and their efforts to rejuvenate the islands of Naoshima, Teshima, and Inujima within the Seto Inland Sea. These islands had previously suffered environmental damage due to pollution from copper smelting and industrial waste; through art-focused revitalization initiatives, the family has contributed significantly to their recovery.

Career

Fukutake is a director at Benesse Holdings in Japan, a company founded by his grandfather. His earlier professional experience includes roles at Japanese firms SMS Corporation and KEYENCE Corporation.

In 2020, he launched STILL in New Zealand with the objective of acquiring or founding 100 local businesses that positively impact the nation. STILL prioritizes enterprises that advance art, culture, and community interests and operates as an intergenerational organization with a strategic long-term vision.

STILL

The portfolio of STILL includes New Zealand entities such as the World of Wearable Art, SHAPE Energy, National Candles, design firm DDMMYY, Queenstown’s Hulbert House Hotel, Consult Recruitment, and Auckland’s Metro magazine. Its urban greenery segment comprises King’s Plant Barn nursery, No More Boring—which specializes in workspace design and office plants—Awa Nursery, and Humphreys Landscaping.

Benesse Corporation

Founded in the 1950s by Tetsuhiko Fukutake as Fukutake Publishing Co., the company initially focused on educational correspondence courses. It expanded into offering practice exams and became a leader in educational services. Following Tetsuhiko’s passing in 1986, leadership passed to Soichiro Fukutake. The company was renamed Benesse Corporation in 1990; its name derives from the Latin terms bene (well) and esse (being), symbolizing its commitment to fostering well-being across generations. In 2023, Hideaki Fukutake revealed intentions to privatize Benesse through a management buyout in partnership with Swedish investment firm EQT.

Fukutake Foundation

In 2012, Soichiro Fukutake along with his family contributed 5.2% of Benesse shares to create the Fukutake Foundation, raising their ownership to 8% by 2020. Hideaki Fukutake is anticipated to take over as head of this foundation.

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