Posted by on
09/06/2026
Forbes Senior Rural Manager, Liam Skinner, is dedicated to his community, and local clients.
A can-do contributor to the Forbes community, whether it’s the local tennis club, or school P&C, Liam Skinner enjoys being out-and-about, chipping in.
Together with wife Tiffany, an environmental scientist, and daughters Ivy, Clara, and Esther, the Skinners are familiar faces across their Forbes community.
“Our kids are tennis mad, and we try to contribute as much as we can to local sporting clubs and the community – the key to vibrant rural and regional Australia communities is to get involved, rather than expect that someone’s going to do the work for you.”
It’s a sentiment echoed through his Rabobank role, with the bank’s community values well-aligned with his own.
“Rabobank is a cooperative, and its commitment to community is reflected clearly whether it’s through sponsorships, the Rabo Client Council and Rabo Community Fund, or simply the volunteering our team does across the region," Liam smiles.
“The cooperative values extend through to our clients – we’re not working for shareholders, we’re working for farmers, and when you put your clients first it gives you the chance to do things right, which is so important when you all live and work together in a small town.”
Engaged in community, and career
Liam’s hands-on approach to community is also reflected in his career, with the Rabobank senior rural manager regularly on the ground with his clients, understanding their business, and supporting their goals and aspirations.
The Orange and Forbes team are all passionate about the region, and helping support local farm businesses to grow.
Having moved across to Rabobank’s Forbes team just over 12-months ago, this seasoned banker is finding the opportunity to gain a first-hand appreciation for his clients’ businesses, refreshing.
“I’ve been in banking for 19 years, and Rabobank’s relationship-based model allows me to get out on farm more often, I am not stuck behind a desk, which is terrific – personally, and also for my clients.”
Although having grown up in the region, Liam admits he never envisioned his future back in Forbes.
“As a young student at Red Bend I couldn’t wait to get out and see a bit more of the country,” he laughs. “I went to the University of New England for four years, then travelled across southern NSW working in banking, yet once we had kids the pull of Forbes began to tug.”
“I’m from Trundle, Tiffany is from Orange, and we have family across the region, and with the strength of the local schools and community, a move to Forbes made sense.”
Liam jokes that a lengthy home renovation project ensures they’re never leaving town, yet smiles that there’s nowhere else they’d rather be.
Team approach supports strong relationships
The beauty of working for Rabobank, Liam believes, is the depth of support staff.
“Even when you’re on the road, the job will still get done, and as an agri-specialist bank, most staff have a rural background, so there’s a unique level of expertise that’s hard to replicate.”
Having a number of contact points in the team is not only reassuring, he believes it also helps facilitate seamless and timely transactions when a client is ready to make a move.
“All our clients have more than one touch-point, so they’re never having to start from scratch if there’s a reason I can’t get to them, or vice-versa – it’s a really impressive structure that underpins speed to market, which is crucial in such a competitive landscape.”
Rabobank’s Monica Wren with Forbes grain grower Neil Mattiske, and Liam Skinner.
Liam has also been struck by the collaborative culture within the Rabobank team.
“One of the things that’s impressed me the most since moving to Rabobank is how generous staff all are sharing their knowledge and expertise with each other rather than work in silos – everyone is here to get the job done for the client by working together.”
“Seeing the team nurture the junior staff is also really heartening, our grads are so well supported and there’s clear succession within the branch which is important for staff and clients alike.”
Personally, passing on knowledge is the source of great pride, and Liam is grateful to be in a team that values knowledge-sharing.
“I really enjoy helping our younger staff – they’re so savvy and have so much go about them, which is exciting, and it’s great to have the opportunity to support them on their career path.”
Helping his clients grow is equally exciting.
“Recently we supported a family’s purchase of the property next door, it’s exciting when clients come to us and ask ‘can we do it?’ and we can say ‘yes you can!’ and demonstrate that farm expansion isn’t just a dream, and that we can support them when they want to take the next step, professionally, there’s no better feeling.”
Forbes’ Larry Storm and Liam Skinner enjoy a local RaboTruck event.