New Roadie Arrivals 01/26

We kicked off the year the best way we know how: with brilliant new talent. Meet Erno and Louis.

Erno Ristola

Consultant, Martech

Hi Erno, how did you get good at what you do?

I believe the key to success is to stay curious. This mindset has led me to study information technology, marketing and food sciences, among some other things. Working across different business areas has broadened my perspective on how to approach problems and how previously learned skills can potentially be applied in different contexts.

You don't always need to reinvent the wheel, but it pays to approach things from a fresh angle. 

Why Columbia Road?

Columbia Road has had a touchpoint with me at irregular intervals throughout my entire professional career before joining; from receiving sales calls to noticing poster advertising for associate programs, to name a few. I ran into people working here a couple of years ago, and after getting to know them better and a glimpse of the company's culture, I got a pretty strong feeling this could be the place for me. And from day one, what a journey this has been!

I feel that at Columbia Road, people are given responsibility, but at the same time, they are not left alone or forgotten, without support in their learning journeys, surrounded by genuinely wonderful people. I highly value these principles at Columbia Road.

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

I really like to read across all kinds of formats and genres. It's not only a way to relax, but it also broadens my understanding of different perspectives and allows me to challenge my own ways of thinking. I also love to cook, because the kitchen is where the good stuff is cooking and the best conversations are had!

Louis Atkinson

Consultant, Development

Hi Louis, how did you get good at what you do?

Starting my career in a startup allowed me to get hands-on experience across the entire development stack, learning how to work on the company's website as well as having the opportunity to develop an application published on Android and iOS. My career continued in a finance company, primarily working with backend development, alongside this, I also undertook some freelancing work. This range of experience helped me develop the skills I have today, and the adaptability of which I hope to bring to Columbia Road.

Why Columbia Road?

From the first stage in the recruitment process, Columbia Road struck me as a place where continuous collaboration and knowledge sharing are valued. This philosophy also tracks with my experience of learning, where I have made the most progress in close collaboration with others. In contrast, the trust and independence given to Roadies stood out as a clear positive sign of the working culture. It is the intersection between these two things that made Columbia Road stand out to me.

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

I really enjoy spending time outside, doing activities such as swimming in the sea, walking, running or going on picnics. When the weather is colder, I enjoy reading or watching movies. I am always enjoying learning or trying new hobbies and have had more than I can count over the years. However, the one activity I have done longer than all others (and which definitely makes my heart beat faster) is skateboarding. It's the most difficult and humbling hobby I have ever tried, and the feeling of learning a new trick or landing something after 100 tries is always so satisfying.