Lucy Zhu spent a decade at a global law firm before Thackray Williams persuaded her to lead its commercial property division. Qualified to practise in both England & Wales and China, she speaks Mandarin and English fluently—credentials that reveal where the Kent and London firm sees its next wave of growth.
The appointment marks a generational shift.
Yildiz Betez, who steered the commercial property team through the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, is retiring after years at the helm. She played a key role in Thackray Williams’ strategic expansion into the City of London, strengthening the firm’s foothold in one of the world’s most competitive property markets. Her departure creates space for a different kind of expertise.
“I’m really pleased to be joining Thackray Williams,” says Lucy Zhu. “It’s a friendly, forward-looking team with a great people culture and a clear focus on supporting clients and delivering innovative, practical solutions. I’m looking forward to working with everyone and helping to grow the Commercial Property practice.”
For Thackray Williams, Lucy’s bilingual capabilities matter. Chinese investors represent a significant force in UK commercial property, and cross-border transactions demand lawyers who can navigate both legal systems and cultural expectations. The firm, which employs over 140 staff across offices in the City of London, Bromley, Sevenoaks and West Wickham, has been positioning itself to serve clients with increasingly complex, international portfolios.
Vikki Herbert, Co-Managing Partner and Head of Real Estate, acknowledged the strategic thinking behind the hire. “We’re delighted that Lucy has joined Thackray Williams to lead the Commercial Property department in the next stage of its exciting growth journey,” she noted. “Her exceptional legal intelligence, her ambitions both for herself and her team, and her international experience – along with her extensive network in the Chinese market, the second largest in the world – ideally position her to help us attract clients with complex property portfolios.”
The timing isn’t accidental. Regional law firms face mounting pressure from City rivals and national chains, forcing them to carve out specialisms that justify their existence. For Thackray Williams, international capability offers differentiation—a reason for clients to choose a Kent-based practice over a Magic Circle alternative.
Yildiz’s tenure spanned two of the most turbulent periods in recent commercial property history. The 2008 credit crunch froze lending and collapsed valuations. COVID-19 upended office demand and accelerated structural shifts in retail and hospitality sectors. Through both crises, she maintained client relationships and kept the department functioning—a pragmatic, steady hand when markets were anything but.
“Lucy will be picking up the reigns from Yildiz Betez, who was instrumental in the firm’s strategic decision to expand its practice into the City of London, helping to strengthen Thackray Williams’ presence in one of the world’s leading financial and property markets,” Herbert explained. “Over the course of her leadership, Yildiz successfully steered the Commercial Property team through some of the most challenging periods for the real estate sector, including the global financial crisis following the 2008 credit crunch and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her pragmatic approach, commercial insight and steady leadership ensured that the team continued to support clients effectively while maintaining the strength and reputation of the firm’s commercial property practice during times of significant market uncertainty.”
Reflecting on her departure, Yildiz struck a measured tone. “I am incredibly proud of what Thackray Williams has achieved over the years and of the relationships built along the way,” she said. “I leave the team and the firm with great confidence in its continued success.”
What Lucy inherits is a platform—not a problem. The department functions. Clients remain loyal. But growth demands fresh energy and new connections, particularly in markets where language and cultural fluency unlock opportunities that purely domestic lawyers might miss.
Thackray Williams works across corporate, insolvency, banking and finance, sports law, dispute resolution, employment, real estate, wills, tax and administration, court of protection, contentious probate, family and residential property. The breadth of services positions the firm to handle multi-dimensional client needs, but commercial property remains a core revenue driver—especially when deals involve international investors.
The managing partners—Anthony Macey, Emma Thompson and Vikki Herbert—have overseen a period of deliberate expansion. The City of London office was no accident. Neither is Lucy’s appointment. Both signal ambition beyond the South East’s traditional client base.
For Lucy, the move from a global firm to a regional practice might seem counterintuitive. But regional firms often offer faster progression, broader autonomy and the chance to shape strategy rather than execute it. At 140 staff, Thackray Williams is large enough to handle substantial matters but small enough that individual lawyers can leave their mark.
The commercial property market has stabilised after years of volatility, though headwinds remain. Interest rates, economic uncertainty and shifting workplace patterns continue to reshape demand. Yet transaction volumes persist, particularly where overseas capital seeks UK assets—a dynamic that plays directly into Lucy’s expertise.
Whether her Chinese network translates into measurable deal flow remains to be seen. Legal services are relationship businesses, built over years rather than months. But the bet Thackray Williams is making is clear: the next phase of growth won’t come from doing more of the same. It will come from reaching clients who need capabilities the firm didn’t previously offer.
By the time Lucy marks her first anniversary, the firm will know whether the strategy is working. For now, the handover is complete, and the direction is set.
