Who we are
Hegel & Fein was founded by Preston Hegel and Ben Fein; two professionals with complementary strengths and a shared passion for revitalising spaces and communities through creative business strategy. Together, they lead a hybrid collective of strategists, creatives, and systems thinkers who specialise in turning under-utilised spaces into dynamic cultural, social, and commercial hubs.
We connect the dots between creative vision and technical execution, grassroots culture and institutional structure, big ideas and measurable results. Our expertise includes venue development, event production, operational modelling, and digital transformation with a track record that spans everything from multi-use venue management and immersive urban events, to process mapping, staffing systems, and financial reporting dashboards.
With over a decade of combined experience, our work spans:
Creative direction & event curation
Operational strategy & business modelling
Process documentation and workflow design
Custom tech solutions — forms, reporting tools, dashboards, and apps
Funding strategy and grant application support
Marketing, audience development & community outreach
Financial modeling, budgeting, and KPI reporting
We’ve worked with artists, NGOs, startups, councils, ministries, and global enterprises—always tailoring our tools and strategies to the unique needs of each client or community. Whether we’re activating a heritage building, designing an incident reporting system, or building frameworks for scalable operations, we work at the intersection of culture, systems, and impact—helping others do their best work with clarity, confidence, and style.
Preston Hegel relocated from Asheville NC (USA) to Ōtautahi in 2015. Having always been drawn to Aotearoa’s beautiful landscape, it was the post-earthquake opportunities and activity that attracted Preston to Ōtautahi.
His passion for the creative industries first lead him to his roll as Exchange Operator (COO) of Exchange Christchurch; a multi-use production & showcase space and incubator that has facilitated over 2,000 events. Over the years, Preston contributed to a number of conferences and music & arts festivals across Aotearoa. Now, he specializes in bridging the gap between urban development and maximizing creative potential; designing models and strategies that raise the bar and help the entertainment and creative industries thrive.
Preston Hegel
Ben Fein
Ben Fein, an IT and business systems specialist with a decade of experience in international corporate environments, has worked in financial reporting, digital transformation, and process optimisation initiatives. With a foundation in finance and data analytics, Ben developed tools for budgeting, cost analysis, KPI reporting, and automation, helping large-, mid- and small-scale organisations operate smarter and more efficiently. In Aotearoa, he has combined his technical expertise with his creative instincts. As a director of XCHC and founder of Stadtmusik, Ben has produced events, supported creative communities, and built custom tools that simplify complex workflows. From designing reporting systems for the health & disability sector to supporting live venue operations, Ben brings strategic clarity, technical precision, and a collaborative spirit to every project.
Contact us
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