Stephen Bamber was educated at Liverpool College and went on to study Italian at the University of Perugia, then read Classics at Caius College, Cambridge. He was commissioned from Sandhurst into the Royal Green Jackets. After 6 years he decided to change career and studied medicine at the University of Birmingham. He practised as a GP in South Norfolk. 

He and his wife have a son and two daughters, all of whom attended Norwich School. Stephen is one of the Governors with responsibility for the Lower School.