Stephen Gilbey was educated in his home town of Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire.  He was employed by Stanley Tee & Co., a long established firm of Solicitors in Bishop’s Stortford.  He qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in 1975.

In 1977 he joined Stewards, an established firm of Ipswich Solicitors, as Manager of their Probate and Trust Department. He qualified as a Solicitor in 1986.   When at this time, Stewards split into two separate firms; Stephen became a Partner in one of the new firms, namely, Watkins Stewart & Ross, with responsibility for the Private Client Department.  He has an extensive range of experience, spanning some 40 years, in both private client work and in all types of conveyancing and property matters. He has been instrumental in successfully developing and expanding these areas of the Practice.

David Ross was born in Felstead Essex. His Father was Headmaster of the Preparatory School.  He was articled with the firm of Elwes Wittey & Co in Colchester and was admitted as a Solicitor in 1978.  He then joined the firm of Constant and Constant Solicitors specialising in Shipping based then at St Helens Place Bishopsgate London.  He worked there in the Property Department.  Having strong links with East Anglia he wished to practice in Suffolk and joined the firm of Stewards in 1978.  That firm eventually split into two separate firms one of which was Watkins Stewart & Ross.  In 1985 he was appointed a Notary Public.  His practice has largely been of a non-contentious nature, specialising in Commercial and Residential Property work.  Having spent most of his life in East Anglia he has a very good knowledge of the area.  He has successfully developed and expanded the Property side of the firm.