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30 March 2026
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
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Thackray Williams—Lucy Zhu

Dual-qualified partner joins as head of commercial property department

Thackray Williams has appointed Lucy Zhu to lead its commercial property department, strengthening its offering with a bilingual lawyer with international experience. Zhu joins from a global firm, where she spent the past decade, and is qualified in both England & Wales and China, speaking English and Mandarin fluently.

She brings cross-border expertise and a strong network in the Chinese market, positioning the firm to attract clients with complex property portfolios. Zhu succeeds Yildiz Betez, who played a key role in expanding the firm’s presence into the City of London and led the team through challenging market conditions.

Commenting on her appointment, Zhu said: ‘I’m really pleased to be joining Thackray Williams’ and highlighted its ‘friendly, forward-looking team with a great people culture.’ She added she was ‘looking forward to working with everyone and helping to grow the commercial property practice.’

Vikki Herbert, co-managing partner and head of real estate, said: ‘We’re delighted that Lucy has joined Thackray Williams’ and described her as ‘ideally position[ed]… to help us attract clients with complex property portfolios.’ Departing partner Yildiz Betez added: ‘I am incredibly proud of what Thackray Williams has achieved.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Arc Pensions Law—Matthew Swynnerton

Arc Pensions Law—Matthew Swynnerton

Chair of the Association of Pension Lawyers joins as partner

Ampa Group—Kamal Chauhan

Ampa Group—Kamal Chauhan

Group names Shakespeare Martineau partner head of Sheffield office

Blake Morgan—four promotions

Blake Morgan—four promotions

Four legal directors promoted to partner across UK offices

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An obscure Victorian tort may be heading for an unexpected revival after a significant Privy Council ruling that could reshape liability for dangerous escapes, according to Richard Buckley, barrister and emeritus professor of law at the University of Reading
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