How we started

Gilboy’s was established in January 1994 by Simon Gilboy.

Whilst attending the full time course of Signwriting at South Devon college I was asked to french polish furniture for some of the local cabinet makers.

I converted my parents large garden shed into a small workshop where I was to be found most weekends. It was from here I decided to carry on the rapidly developing trade once I had finished the Traditional Signwriting course.

Within the first few months I found my parents shed too small, so with the help of a grant from The Princes Youth Business Trust I signed a one year lease on a small workshop in Staverton.

One of my first polishing commissions was for Kuwait University, which had been damaged during the invasion of Kuwait in 1991. A local joinery had been contracted to refurbish parts of campus and I was fortunate to be asked to polish the oak furniture.

Now in 2008 we have 6 skilled craftsmen and 2,000sq feet of workshop. Thank you, to all of our customers who have returned to us over the years and written some very flattering comments.

Simon Gilboy

The guild of master craftsmen

For over 30 years the Guild of Master Craftsmen has represented many different trades and professions, promoting and supporting excellence. To the trade and public alike, the Guild’s emblem and Coat of Arms represent skill, integrity, quality and service – in all professionalism.

Guild members come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some are quite unusual, such as craftsmen in wrought iron, stained glass or thatch, others are traditional builders, plumbers or electricians. A growing number are involved in newer industries such as information technology and in the retail and service sector.

The one thing they have in common is their commitment to work with skill and integrity. The Guild encourages members to strive for excellence and monitors standards to ensure that its principles are being maintained.