Albin Eriksson Lippe

BSc Economics, 2019

Based in:

London

Formerly from:

Sweden

Strangest interview question:

Describe the colour blue to someone who is blind

First job:

Analyst at Goldman Sachs

Wish you knew when applying for roles:

Building a strong professional network can open doors to job opportunities, mentorship, and valuable advice. Starting to network early and maintaining those relationships is crucial.

Ambitions for the future:

My primary ambition is to scale Holiwise into a leading travel tech platform that revolutionises the way people plan and experience travel. Part of that goal is expanding our brand globally, integrating more advanced technologies, and continuously improving our user experience to make travel planning seamless for group trips.

Co-Founder & CEO at Holiwise

Describe your current role and what attracted you to it

As the CEO of Holiwise, my role encompasses a range of responsibilities, including strategic planning, managing our product development, and ensuring that we deliver exceptional service to our customers.

What led me to start Holiwise was the prospect of building a company from scratch, which has been incredibly fulfilling so far. It was also an opportunity to combine my passion for travel with my desire to innovate within the tech industry. At Holiwise, we are working towards the vision of building a "Travel Agency 2.0" - leveraging AI to streamline the planning process for group trips.

What’s your favourite part of the role?

The ability to innovate and solve problems on a daily basis. I really enjoy working closely with our talented team and thinking about how we can improve our platform together.

Another aspect I enjoy is the direct impact that we have on our users' experiences. Hearing positive feedback from travellers who have used Holiwise to plan their trips is rewarding and knowing that we are making a tangible difference in people's lives by improving their travel experiences is motivating.

What are the key skills you learnt at Warwick that have helped you with your career to date?

My experiences at Warwick was integral to landing a graduate role at Goldman Sachs, and eventually following my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. I have always been passionate about Economics and my interest in the subject flourished during my time at Warwick, as I interacted with many inspiring lecturers, tutors, and fellow students.

In terms of specific skills - my Economics degree required a deep understanding of complex concepts and data analysis. This analytical mindset has been invaluable in making data-driven decisions both at Goldman Sachs and in running Holiwise.

Did you have a specific career path in mind when you chose to study at Warwick?

When I chose to study at Warwick, I had a strong interest in economics and finance and was drawn to Warwick's Economics programme because of its strong reputation and the many opportunities that it offered post-graduation.

While at Warwick, I explored various aspects of finance through coursework, internships, and extracurricular activities. By the time I graduated, I was particularly fascinated by the financial markets and decided to start my career in Sales & Trading at Goldman Sachs, where the fast-paced trading floor offered an incredibly steep learning curve.

What top tips do you have for Warwick graduates who would like to work in your sector?

Leverage your time at Warwick to build an academic foundation and keep your mind open about graduate opportunities. Try to learn as much as possible about the fields you are interested in. I would recommend proactively applying to internships in your areas of interest to gain early experience and to build an understanding of the industry.

What has been your greatest career challenge to date and how did your experience and skills help overcome it?

My greatest career challenge to date has been launching and growing Holiwise.

The problem-solving abilities I developed during my time at Warwick and Goldman Sachs was crucial to overcome the early challenges of launching Holiwise. Furthermore, working in small teams at Goldman Sachs helped me develop teamwork skills in building and motivating our team. Creating a collaborative company culture has been key to our early success.

What should current students or recent alumni be doing to move their careers forward?

I would recommend pursuing internship opportunities in your field of interest. Practical experience is invaluable and will improve your resume early in your career. Networking is also very important –­ I would recommend attending industry events and connecting with alumni on LinkedIn.