Catching up with... Matthew Samme

We catch up with Matthew Samme, Business BA(Hons), 1995, as he talks us through his time at Kingston studying business, running one of the largest SAP programs in the world at Ernst & Young, and seeing David Beckham miss a penalty against him!

Why did you choose Kingston?

It was the best university in the country to study business and had an attractive course structure including two work placements.

What do you remember about your time at Kingston?

In three words. Tough but fun.

Have you been back since graduation? If so when and what for?

For a couple of football tournaments!

Are you still in touch with anyone from your Kingston days?

I keep in touch with a core set of friends but a number of us now live outside of the UK so we see each other in person less and less.

What did you expect to do after graduating? Are you still doing that now?

I wanted to work in an investment bank but ended up joining PriceWaterhouse as an IT graduate and now find myself running one of the largest SAP programs globally.

Who was your favourite lecturer and why?

I've always been rubbish with names but he was a great corporate business lecturer who used relevant real life examples and coached me with my dissertation.

What's your greatest achievement?

Work-wise having a happy client, personally having a great wife and two children who I am extremely proud of.

What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?

Believe in yourself but spend time to listen and learn

What last made you laugh?

I laugh regularly with my team at work... it keeps us sane!

What's your ideal weekend?

Winding down and spending time with the family plus a Spurs win.

Tell us something we would never guess about you.

David Beckham missed a penalty against me.

You are to live out your final days on a desert island:

Who would you take with you and why?

Richard Branson – he'd probably find a way for us to get off the island.

What book would you take and why?

Bear Grylls' Mission Survival as it probably has some useful tips.

What movie would you take and why?

The Hangover for when I need to laugh.

What food item would you take and why?

The Trinidad Scorpion Moruga Blend as you might as well go out after eating the hottest chilli pepper in the world!

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