Lucy Woods > Ashfords LLP > Exeter, England > Lawyer Profile

Focusing primarily on procurement and subsidy control, Ashfords LLP fields a varied client portfolio consisting of those across the public and private sector. The firm supports on matters such as regeneration and housing projects as well as in the development of telecoms infrastructure. The Exeter-based team is led by Lucy Woods, who fields a longstanding government public sector practice that includes advising local authority broadband clients on national projects. At associate level, Ruth Yates is particularly active in regard to procurement pertaining to regeneration and marine projects.

The public sector team at Ashfords LLP handles the full range of local government mandates, with considerable expertise assisting local authorities with central government funding grants, together with a niche in local authority ports and harbour authority matters. Exeter-based practice head Lucy Woods is well-placed to advise on public procurement, subsidy control, and state aid mandates. For real estate and infrastructure matters including regeneration and development projects, Robin De Wreede is a key member of the team with experience acting for both public and private sector clients. Also recommended is senior associate Ruth Yates, who has additional experience in procurement and subsidy control matters, especially in relation to regeneration and marine projects.

Representing a number of large registered providers, housing associations, local authorities and London boroughs, the social housing team at Ashfords LLP has a wide scope of experience that covers property litigation, tenancy management issues, developments and planning mandates, transactions, and public procurement work. On the contentious side, Sian Gibbon, located in Exeter, leads the housing and litigation team, advising on a range of matters including repairs and tenant management issues. On public sector matters and public procurement issues, Lucy Woods is a key name. Bristol’s Derek Moore supports on land acquisitions and development agreements, while Exeter’s Laura Reeve focuses on non-contentious construction work. Senior associate Isabelle Clement is also highly active in assisting registered providers, especially with the purchase and sale of land for development, acquisitions of affordable housing, and regeneration schemes. Paul Butterworth departed in July 2024.

Ashfords LLP‘s Exeter-based team handles a full range of public sector work for local authority clients, with particular expertise in land transactions, planning proposals, and procurement initiatives for large regeneration schemes and infrastructure developments. The team is also frequently engaged by London boroughs to provide ongoing assistance with governance, employment, and corporate structuring during development activities and is also recommended for its ‘excellent knowledge in relation to a very niche area, port and maritime law’. Practice head Lucy Woods, an expert in regulatory compliance and corporate structuring, is a key contact for subsidy control matters. Other key contacts include real estate expert Robin De Wreede who is experienced in major infrastructure and town center regeneration and development projects, and procurement expert Ruth Yates.