News
19th September 2023
Gilbert Stephens were delighted to raise a total of £417 towards a new playground for The Friends of Saint James School (FOSJ), in Okehampton.
The doors to St James CofE Primary school’s brand new building opened in 2018, with the outdoor spaces presenting a blank canvas. This was a perfect opportunity to build a playground, which is a key contributing factor to a child’s cognitive, physical, and social development.
We raised money by donating £1 for every new case opened throughout the month of May 2023, contributing towards the school’s fundraising campaign.
This project is a huge milestone for FOSJ and will be a significant positive addition to the facilities available to the Pupils of St James’ – We are excited to see the finished result!
Here are some of our lovely team from the Okehampton office: Conall Ryan, Michelle Broom and Philip Horlock, presenting the cheque to the school.
12th September 2023
What a wonderful day supporting Tedburn St Mary Fair in the sunshine this weekend!
We would also like to give a huge thank you to all who made this event happen – we look forward to next year!
30th August 2023
We would like to extend our congratulations to this years prize draw winners, Gemma Garnsworthy and family, who won the childrens quad bike at our stand at Okehampton Show this year! I am sure the little ones will have hours of endless fun on their new toy!
For everyone who entered but weren’t lucky this time, there will be another chance to win our annual mystery prize at our stands at Chagford and Okehampton Shows next year. Keep your eyes peeled for more information!
22nd August 2023
Gilbert Stephens Solicitors were thrilled to be a part of both The Okehampton and Chagford Agricultural Shows this year!
The Agricultural Shows are always big events in our calendar, and they never fail to disappoint! We thoroughly enjoy catching up with our clients in a more informal setting as well as meeting new faces along the way.
This year, we ran two Facebook Competitions to win family tickets for both of the shows. Congratulations to our two ticket winners, Nicola Pike and Ashley-Mimi Avery, whose families had wonderful days – it was lovely to meet you all!
Alongside our Facebook Competition, we ran our annual free prize draw to win an even bigger prize. This year, our star prize was a children’s ride on quad bike, which certainly was a hit with the little ones! After much anticipation, our winner was drawn out of a hat at The Chagford show. A big congratulations to Gemma Garnsworthy (and family!) I am sure your little ones will have hours of fun on their new toy!
It wouldn’t be the same without offering delicious bacon sandwiches for breakfast and cream tea’s with Pimms in the afternoon. So that’s exactly what we did! The freshly made bacon sarnies, especially, went down a treat to kickstart the days. Our talented face painter, Mel, did not fail to put a smile on everyone’s face! We always look forward to seeing her wonderful artwork, as well as the smiles on children’s faces when they see her amazing creations!
Each year, we never know what the weather will bring – we always bring both our wellies and sun cream! Luckily, the wellies could be put away for both of the shows this year as the sun was shining!
A big thank you to everyone who came to show their support for Gilbert Stephens at the Agricultural Shows this year and an even bigger thank you to the organisers of both events. We very much look forward to next year!
3rd August 2023
‘A Journey from A to B’
Gilbert Stephens had the pleasure of sponsoring a spectacular Art Exhibition, held at Exeter Cathedral last Friday by local artist, Mark Ware MFS.
The exhibition, named ‘A Journey from A to B’, consisted of 28 art banners featuring imagery influenced by the variety of art and craftsmanship contained within Exeter Cathedral itself.
Mark is a multimedia artist who studied Fine Art at Northumbria University and at The School of the Art Institute, in Chicago. Since having a stroke in 1996, Mark’s art became increasingly concerned with altered subjective experiences caused by changes in mind and body. These multimedia art projects have included large-scale art exhibitions staged in a variety of unusual locations ranging from shopping centres to cathedrals. Influenced by his experience of disability, a lot of Mark’s art has focused on how disabilities can affect perception of self.
From our Exeter office: Vicky Thompson, Dana Mulligan, Richard Walford, Sarah Martin, Alyson Coulson and Susan Hein-Griggs, all attended this wonderful evening on behalf of Gilbert Stephens. Our Chief Executive, Vicky Thompson, said ‘It was a delight to support a local artist in such a beautiful setting.’
This Exhibition is on display at Exeter Cathedral from 1st July to 31st August 2023. It is an impressive display of art that isn’t one to be missed! ‘A Journey From A to B’ is included in the standard admission into Exeter Cathedral.
2nd August 2023
We were absolutely thrilled to be a part of the fantastic Family Fun Day recently hosted by The Mortgage Quarter, where we joined hands to support the Exeter Leukaemia Fund and RD&E Charity.
Our team members, Mandy Lilley, Mandy Vickery, Claire Strickland, Deborah Egan, and Antonia D’Alessio, had a wonderful time representing Gilbert Stephens and contributing to these vital causes.
Antonia summed it up perfectly, “We had a great day despite a spot of rain. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves whilst supporting two very important charities the Exeter Leukaemia Fund and RD&E Charity. Thank you, Mortgage Quarter, for arranging this and for giving us the opportunity to help support two very important causes.”
#FamilyFunDay #CharityEvent #SupportingTheCommunity #ExeterLeukaemiaFund #RDECharity #GilbertStephens #MortageQuarter
13th July 2023
Gilbert Stephens had the honour of being invited to and attending a party held by Magdalen Chambers, to celebrate their remarkable 10-year milestone!
Magdalen Chambers, located in the city of Exeter, is a renowned set of Barristers Chambers that has been serving the community for a decade.
Their expert team of barristers provides exceptional legal advice across various practice areas and stand out as leaders in their field.
Gilbert Stephens had the pleasure of networking with esteemed colleagues and cherished the opportunity to catch up with familiar faces. Vicky Thompson, CEO said “We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Magdalen Chambers for including us in their special event. We are grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the celebration and look forward to our continued collaboration in the future”.
12th July 2023
In an exhilarating display of athleticism and teamwork, Deborah Langham one of our esteemed employees @ Gilbert Stephens, and her teammates the Britannia Ladies dragon boat team, recently participated in the European Dragon Boat Club Championship and Festival held in Belgrade, Serbia. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Sava River, the event drew participants from across Europe, promising fierce competition and thrilling races.
With meticulous training and unwavering commitment, Deborah and her teammates took to the water, ready to showcase their prowess and teamwork. The gruelling races demanded both physical strength and synchronised paddling techniques, putting their months of preparation to the test.
Deborah and her teammates emerged victorious, securing both a silver and a bronze medal. Their remarkable achievements garnered widespread recognition, including a feature on Serbian television!
Deborah’s accomplishments serve as a shining example to all employees, demonstrating the transformative power of perseverance, teamwork, and the pursuit of personal growth. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Deborah Langham and the Britannia Ladies dragon boat team for their remarkable achievements.
3rd July 2023
EXCITING, EXCITING …… Exciting Announcement within our Paralegal Hub!
Introducing our newest Paralegals at Gilbert Stephens! Please join us in welcoming Juku Attionu, Michelle Broom, Madeleine Youngs, Hannah MacDonald, and Ana Nedeloiu to our team.
We would also like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to some of our new starters who have recently received their final exam results! Your hard work and dedication have paid off, and we’re thrilled to have you kickstart your legal career with Gilbert Stephens.
Vicky Thompson, CEO of Gilbert Stephens, says, “We would like to wish Juku, Michelle, Madeleine, Hannah, and Ana the very best of luck as they embark on this exciting journey with our firm. May their passion for Law, their commitment to excellence, and their continuous growth lead them to great success in their legal endeavours. Welcome to the team!”
#GilbertStephensTeam #NewBeginnings #LegalCareerStarters
30th June 2023
Today, 30th June 2023, marked not just the close of a successful financial year, but also a celebration of creativity and giving at Gilbert Stephens! Held in the beautiful garden of our Exeter office, our team enjoyed an afternoon of drinks, nibbles, and friendly competition.
Our Coronation Planter competition, inspired by King Charles III’s Coronation, saw each department team flex their green thumbs. Each team received planters, soil, and funds to create their own floral tributes. After much anticipation, we’re thrilled to announce the winning planter was put together by our Administration and Management Department! Closely followed by runners up, our Residential Conveyancing Department. Congratulations to these teams for their outstanding effort and creativity.
We were privileged to have Henrietta Olsson, an Area Fundraiser for Children’s Hospice, as our special guest and judge for the competition. Our CEO’s strategic decision to dedicate our fundraising efforts to a specific cause annually led us to this wonderful organisation, chosen as our Charity of The Year through a vote by all employees.
During the celebrations our Managing Equity Partner, Alistair Heron, presented Children’s Hospice with a cheque for £541.31, representing the funds we’ve raised for them so far. Their work is truly inspiring, and we’re proud to support them.
Vicky Thompson, CEO of Gilbert Stephens, said “Today’s event showcased not only our team’s creativity and camaraderie but also our commitment to making a positive impact in our community. We extend our deepest gratitude to Henrietta Olsson and Children’s Hospice for their presence and for the incredible work they do. As the CEO of Gilbert Stephens, I couldn’t be prouder of our team for their outstanding effort, dedication, and philanthropic spirit. Together, we have laid the foundation for a fantastic new financial year filled with exciting initiatives and continued giving.”
#GilbertStephens #FinancialYearEnd #CoronationPlanterCompetition #CharityOfTheYear #ChildrensHospice
