Adam Schwab
Adam Schwab is an Australian entrepreneur, author, podcast host, and keynote speaker. He is best known as the co-founder and CEO of Luxury Escapes, a global luxury travel business headquartered in Melbourne, Australia.[1]
| Adam Schwab | |
|---|---|
| Born | Australia |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Australian |
| 🏫 Education | Monash University (LLB, BCom) |
| 💼 Occupation | Entrepreneur, CEO |
| Known for | Co-founder and CEO of Luxury Escapes |
| Notable work | Pigs at the Trough |
Early life and education
Schwab studied Law and Commerce at Monash University. While at university, he founded a startup called DigiLaw, which distributed student-made legal notes via CD-ROMs through the university’s bookshop network.[2]
Career
AussieCommerce Group
In 2010, Schwab co-founded the e-commerce business AussieCommerce Group (initially known as DEALS) with Jeremy Same. The group acquired and operated over a dozen consumer brands including Ouffer, Cudo, Spreets, The Gourmet, Dailydo (NZ), and LivingSocial Australia/New Zealand.[3]
By 2015, the company had grown to over 400 employees and AUD 210 million in annual revenue. It was featured on the BRW Fast 100 and Deloitte Tech Fast 50 lists. Schwab was a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Southern Region) in 2014 and was named Young Executive of the Year in 2015. He also appeared on the BRW Young Rich Lists in 2014 and 2015.[4]
Luxury Escapes
Schwab co-founded Luxury Escapes in 2010. Under his leadership, the company became one of Australia’s leading travel platforms, expanding internationally with teams across four continents. By the mid-2020s, Luxury Escapes had achieved over USD 1 billion in annual sales.[5]
The company bootstrapped its growth for over a decade and later raised over USD 120 million in funding in 2022 to support expansion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Luxury Escapes maintained profitability and grew its workforce.[6]
Legal career
After graduating, Schwab worked as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer at Freehills (now Herbert Smith Freehills), a leading commercial law firm in Australia. He left legal practice to pursue business full time.[7]
Authorship and media
In 2010, Schwab published a book titled ''Pigs at the Trough: Lessons from Australia’s Decade of Corporate Greed'' through Wiley. The book became a bestseller on Amazon Australia.[8]
Since 2004, he has contributed business and finance commentary to outlets such as BRW, SmartCompany, Crikey, and The Australian Financial Review. He is a regular guest on TV and radio, including Channel Seven News, Sky Business, 3AW, and 2GB.[9]
Podcasts and speaking
Schwab co-hosts two business-focused podcasts:
- The Contrarians with Adam and Adir
- From Zero
He is a keynote speaker on topics related to entrepreneurship, leadership, customer service, and innovation, and has spoken at numerous conferences across Australia.[10]
Philanthropy and board roles
Schwab serves on the board of the Myeloma Foundation of Australia and is a member of the investment committee for the Save the Children Australia Investment Fund. He has completed multiple barefoot Melbourne Marathons to raise funds for charity.[11]
Publications
In 2010, Schwab published the book Pigs at the Trough: Lessons from Australia’s Decade of Corporate Greed, examining corporate ethics and governance in Australian companies during the early 2000s. The book was released by John Wiley & Sons.[12]
Awards and recognition
- BRW Fast 100 – 2013
- Deloitte Tech Fast 50 – multiple years
- EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Finalist, Southern Region) – 2014
- Young Executive of the Year – 2015
- BRW Young Rich List – 2014, 2015
- CPA Young Business Leaders – 2015
- AFR Fast 100 – 2017 (Luxury Escapes)
References
- ↑ "Book Adam Schwab for your Event". Saxton Speakers. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ↑ "Adam Schwab - campus smarts to Luxury Escapes startup king". Alumni. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ↑ "Adam Schwab". www.keynoteentertainment.com.au. 2025-08-04. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ↑ "Adam Schwab (Aussie Commerce)". Startup Grind. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ↑ Chau, business reporter David (2017-12-05). "The brains behind Scoopon and Luxury Escapes look to seize on Amazon 'opportunity'". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ↑ Geraghty, Sofia (2024-10-29). "Beyond Borders: Katrina Barry, Adam Schwab and Katrina Konstas on travel and tech". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ↑ "Adam Schwab: Founder & CEO of Luxury Escapes by Chew the Fat". Spotify for Creators. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ↑ Gliddon, Joshua (2025-05-27). "The Contrarians Adam Schwab and Adir Shiffman don't follow the market -- and 100,000 listeners like it". SmartCompany. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ↑ Hogan, Ruth (2025-04-24). "Exclusive: Luxury Escapes CEO unpacks 2025 travel trends". Hotel Management. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ↑ https://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/victoria-business/why-luxury-escapes-chief-executive-adam-schwab-wants-his-staff-in-the-office-five-days-a-week/news-story/55fa4e10e34716cadbcdbfc48de00650
- ↑ https://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/victoria-business/why-luxury-escapes-chief-executive-adam-schwab-wants-his-staff-in-the-office-five-days-a-week/news-story/55fa4e10e34716cadbcdbfc48de00650
- ↑ "Pigs at the Trough: Lessons from Australia's Decade of Corporate Greed | Wiley". Wiley.com. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
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