The Team

Stephen is head of the residential property department at Matthew and Matthew and also Senior Director. Stephen has over 30 years of experience in residential property and is an expert in all residential property matters. Stephen and his brother Richard Matthew both founded the firm in 1982. Their unique, quick and efficient approach to conveyancing became popular locally very quickly. This approach is reflected in the quality and consistency in Stephen’s work still today. Stephen has seen his firm gradually grow and survive two recessions due to a carefully planned and implemented expansion program.

Stephen deals with all areas of residential property matters including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, remortgages, equity release, right to buys and other related property work. He also handles some residential development work. Stephen successfully dealt with the relocation to Bournemouth of Chase Manhattan (now JP Morgan Chase) in the mid to late 1980’s and again in the early 1990’s.

In his spare time Stephen follows Southampton Football Club, and is a keen sailor. Stephen lives locally with his wife and three children who ensure that he is always kept busy.

David oversees the commercial property department and also heads the wills, trusts and probate department. David is a member of STEP – The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners which is a reflection of the knowledge and experience that he has in this area. David also acts for some big developers in the Bournemouth area dealing with a number of high worth transactions. Dealing with private client matters David is hands on and deals with his clients directly, an approach which has proved successful and popular with clients. As managing director David also deals with the day to day management of the firm.

David has worked locally for the majority of his working life as a solicitor and joined the Matthew and Matthew team in March 2003, becoming a partner later that year.

In his spare time David is an avid follower of Rugby and enjoys keeping fit and attending networking events.

Melanie is a commercial property solicitor who joined the firm in 2005 and later became a partner. Melanie’s organisational skills, determination and drive helped build upon the company’s already growing momentum. Melanie quickly expanded her existing client base and her dynamic approach to commercial property laid the foundations which enabled the department to move from strength to strength.

Melanie practiced locally before joining Matthew and Matthew. She left the firm in 2008 to pursue a career outside the law. Melanie continues to act as an active consultant for Matthew and Matthew.

Melanie enjoys socialising, a range of outdoor activities, travelling, skiing, netball and spending time with her husband and family in her spare time.

Emma started working in conveyancing straight from school and studied on the job, qualifying as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in 2004 and becoming Chartered in 2012.

Emma has joined us as a director, having spent nearly 11 years with another local firm, becoming extremely popular with agents, brokers and clients alike.

Emma has a no nonsense approach, working efficiently with everyone involved in the transaction and has an excellent reputation for getting the job done.
Outside of work Emma is keen road cyclist and mountain biker who generally enjoys being outdoors, as well spending time with her friends and family. Emma is also an AFC Bournemouth fan, having links with the club and which has recently led to her being on the committee of the Stephen Purches Testimonial Year 2013.

Stephanie is based at the firm’s Southbourne office and specialises in commercial property matters acting for both landlords and tenants advising on all types of commercial leases. She also acts for business owners in the sales and purchases of commercial premises and businesses. Stephanie also acts for several local builders in development matters and transactions involving lending and secured borrowing.

Stephanie is commercially focused and by instructing her she will ensure the transaction is carried out methodically and professionally. By instructing her you know your transaction will be in safe hands.

Stephanie studied for her law degree at Cardiff University before completing her postgraduate degree at Bournemouth University. She then trained and qualified at a local firm before joining the commercial department of Matthew & Matthew in July 2012.

In her spare time Stephanie is captain of a local Bournemouth netball team and enjoys going to the gym. She also enjoys socialising with friends and family and attending local networking events.

David is a senior residential property solicitor and specialises in general residential and newbuild developments. David qualified as a solicitor in 1975 after gaining a London university degree. With over 35 years of experience in property related matters, David is an asset to the firm and a popular solicitor with clients. His ‘Plain English’ approach ensures that clients receive the best possible service from a solicitor who has the knowledge to ensure matters are dealt with swiftly and without fault. David acts for several high worth premiership footballers in their property matters who also enjoy David’s ability to get the job done quickly.

David trained at a large firm in Liverpool before moving down to the south to work and joining Matthew and Matthew in 1999.

In his spare time David enjoys good wine and good food, personally checking entries in the ‘Good Food Guide’. David also follows Liverpool Football Club.

Alex is a residential property solicitor and specialises in new build work and well as dealing with a variety of other general property matters. Alex’s quick thinking and focused attitude has always exceeded the client’s expectations resulting in an excellent reputation as a solicitor who you can rely on and whose knowledge is second to none.

Alex trained locally at a well known property specialist firm before joining the Matthew and Matthew team in August 2005.

In her spare time Alex, enjoys a variety of outdoor pursuits with her husband and young son who both ensure that she is always kept busy.

Helen is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. She started working in the law after secretarial training in her teens, very quickly finding her niche in residential conveyancing.

No stranger to hard work, Helen combined bringing up her two children whilst studying with ILEX tutorial college, eventually qualifying as a Fellow in 2011.

Helen’s strengths lie in a sound conveyancing knowledge backed up by good organisational skills and an approachable manner which both her clients and colleagues in the industry appreciate.

Outside of work, Helen enjoys walks at the beach with her husband and their two dogs. She is an avid reader and loves to travel.

Rebecca is a Probate Legal Executive and a fellow of ILEX as well as a member of STEP. Rebecca runs her own caseload and her friendly and approachable nature has always proved popular with clients. Rebecca deals with a variety of estates and wills and also deals with court of protection matters and assists elderly clients with their financial affairs she specialises in the administration of estates.

Rebecca trained at a large local firm before joining Matthew and Matthew in April 2006.

Away from the office, Rebecca is a keen Netball player and also enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family.

Gaynor is a Probate Legal Executive and a fellow of ILEX and a member of STEP specialising in wills trusts and probate. Gaynor has extensive experience in dealing with extremely high value estates and provides a cutting edge service due to sheer hard work and commitment.

Gaynor qualified in 1999 and joined Matthew and Matthew in May 2010.

In her spare time Gaynor enjoys swimming, travelling, and spending time with friends and family especially her husband and two sons.

Gary is the Practice Manager and ensures that the firm always runs smoothly. He is also head of the accounts department, having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in January 1978. He trained locally before joining Price Waterhouse, following which he ran his own practice for nearly 15 years. The knowledge and experience that Gary possesses means that the accounts department deals with all matters efficiently and quickly.

Gary joined the team in June 2004.

In his spare time Gary enjoys socialising, long walks and travelling.