Sam Coupland

I was a resident of Robb College from 1991 – 1993 and as you will have heard many times from ex-Robbers, the friendships and connections I have made at Robb are exceptional. The reach of Robb College is equally impressive – business contacts I have made invariably know of Robb as much if not more so than UNE.

Like many young people I didn’t really know what I wanted to do at this stage if my life, which turned out to be a good thing, as I had no idea that what I currently do was a realistic or viable option. I finished UNE with a Bachelor of Economics and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Management which was sufficient to earn a graduate place at Ernst & Young. Being ex-Robb really got my foot in the door as I was effectively recruited by two friends who went through Robb with me.

After four years with Ernst & Young I had a brief stint in London. The London sojourn was not part of any grand plan, but was borne of a sense that everyone else was doing it so I probably should too. Six months in London in pretty average jobs and ordinary accommodation had me yearning for home.

I then joined FMRC which provides advice and management services to the legal profession throughout Australia and New Zealand. More importantly FMRC has its origins in UNE and deep ties to Robb College (the esteemed Geoff Perry is one of the early directors and owners of FMRC) and it was through the Robb connections that I ended up with the job. After five years I bought out one of the founding directors of FMRC and continued to grow my consultancy practice.

I moved to Armidale with my family in 2012 having spent 18 years living in Sydney. My work as a consultant meant I was constantly on the move and as such I could be based anywhere with regular and reliable flights to Sydney. Pre-COVID Armidale fitted the bill perfectly, post-COVID it has proved an absolute blessing as most of my work is done remotely with meetings via Zoom as necessary.

In 2016 I pulled together a group of investors to acquire a large cattle property on Cape York Peninsula, about 5.5 hours northwest of Cairns. I split my time between the cattle enterprise and the consulting.

I met my wife through Robb connections and we have three young daughters.

On reflection, the significant aspects of my post Robb College life have come about through my Robb connections and I am sure I am not alone in that regard.