What Does Education First Do?

Total employees74
HeadquartersLucerne
Founded1995

Education First (EF) is an international education company founded in 1965, specializing in language training, educational travel, academic degree programs, and cultural exchange. With a mission to open the world through education, EF has helped millions of people learn a language, discover the world, or earn an academic degree. The company operates hundreds of schools and offices in over 50 countries, offering a wide range of programs for students of all ages and proficiency levels. EF is known for its immersive learning experiences, innovative teaching methods, and commitment to making global education accessible.

Where Is Education First's Headquarters?

HQ Function

The Lucerne headquarters serves as the central administrative and strategic decision-making center for EF's global network of schools and offices. It oversees international operations, finance, and corporate development.

Notable Features:

While specific architectural details of the Lucerne HQ are not widely publicized, EF offices globally are known for their modern, open-plan designs fostering collaboration and reflecting the company's international culture. They often feature branding related to travel, language, and global citizenship.

Work Culture:

The work culture at EF's headquarters, much like its offices worldwide, is characterized by dynamism, international diversity, and a strong sense of mission. Employees often share a passion for education, travel, and cross-cultural understanding, contributing to an entrepreneurial and collaborative environment.

HQ Significance:

The Lucerne headquarters symbolizes EF's global reach and Swiss precision in managing a vast educational enterprise. Its location in neutral Switzerland also reflects the company's international and apolitical stance in promoting education worldwide.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters' operations and environment aim to reflect EF's core values: a passion for opening the world through education, a commitment to quality and innovation, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a 'nothing is impossible' attitude.

Location:

Education First supports a vast range of functions globally, including language education for all ages, academic degree programs (through Hult International Business School and EF Academy), educational travel and tours, cultural exchange programs (like Au Pair), and online language learning solutions. These functions are supported by a network of hundreds of schools and offices in over 50 countries, with programs available in more than 100 countries, reaching millions of students annually.

Street Address:

Haldenstrasse 4

City:

Lucerne

State/Province:

LU

Country:

Switzerland

Where Else Does Education First Operate Around the World?

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Address: EF Education First, Two Education Circle, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA

Coordinates activities and supports students and staff across North America, driving growth and innovation in one of EF's largest markets.

London, United Kingdom

Address: EF Education First, 22 Chelsea Manor St, London SW3 5RL, UK

Facilitates EF's extensive educational offerings in the UK and serves as a vital connection point for its European operations and student base.

Shanghai, China

Address: EF Center, 255 Shiguang Rd, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China

Drives EF's expansion and operations in mainland China, catering to the strong demand for English language education and adapting programs to local needs.

Zurich, Switzerland

Address: Basteiplatz 2, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland

Supports various global functions and benefits from Zurich's status as an international business and financial hub.

Buying Intent Signals for Education First

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading Education First? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, Education First' leadership includes:

Bertil Hult - Founder
Philip Hult - Co-Chairman
Alex Hult - Co-Chairman
Dr. Edward (Eddie) Hult - CEO, EF North America

Who's Investing in Education First?

Education First has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

Privately held by the Hult family

What Leadership Changes Has Education First Seen Recently?

Hire0
Exits0

EF Education First, as a privately held company, does not frequently publicize executive changes at the global top leadership level. No major global executive (Co-Chairmen level) hires or exits have been widely reported in the last 12 months. Leadership, particularly within the Hult family, has remained stable. Key regional leadership appointments may occur but are not always globally announced.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byEducation First?

Discover the tools Education First uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

Education First Email Formats and Examples

Education First commonly uses a few email formats for its employees globally. The most prevalent formats are typically a combination of the employee's first name and last name, or first initial and last name.

firstname.lastname@ef.com or firstinitiallastname@ef.com (e.g., f.lastname@ef.com or flastname@ef.com)

Format

jane.doe@ef.com

Example

90%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About Education First?

EF Press Room (ef.com)November 15, 2023

Education First Releases 2023 EF English Proficiency Index (EPI)

EF Education First released its 2023 English Proficiency Index, analyzing data from 2.2 million non-native English speakers in 113 countries and regions. The Netherlands maintained its top position. The report highlighted trends in English proficiency globally, noting improvements in several regions and discussing the impact of factors like age, gender, and learning methods....more

EF Press Room (ef.com)March 7, 2023

Education First Partners with Megan Rapinoe to Promote Girls' Leadership Through Sport and Education

EF Education First announced a partnership with soccer icon Megan Rapinoe. The collaboration aims to inspire and empower young girls by combining sports with educational opportunities, fostering leadership skills and global perspectives. The initiative includes scholarships and specialized programs....more

EF Pro Cycling Team WebsiteJanuary 24, 2024

EF Education-Cannondale Women's Pro Cycling Team Ready for Debut Season

The newly formed EF Education-Cannondale women's pro cycling team announced its readiness for its debut season in 2024. This marks an expansion of EF's commitment to professional cycling, now supporting both men's (EF Education-EasyPost) and women's top-tier teams, promoting global health, education, and exploration....more

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