Bricks & Mortar: Lucy Winzer on her journey from apprentice to head of acquisitions at Pret a Manger

This week’s episode of Bricks & Mortar sees Sarah Jackman catch up with Lucy Winzer – head of acquisition at Pret a Manger.

After undertaking a work experience placement at a property firm aged 16, Lucy “fell in love” with real estate and “realised that was definitely the route that I wanted to take.” Through the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust, she found an apprenticeship at a local firm, where she was given a range of responsibility and in 2009 – following the financial crash – graduated from the University College of Estate Management with her diploma in surveying practice.

A further five years working at property firms followed, during which time she gained her BSc in real estate – again via UCEM. In 2014 she joined Pret a Manger and, in so doing, adopted an occupier’s perspective. “It’s such a dynamic way of working and one that I absolutely love.”

She reflects on what it was like to graduate at the height of the last recession, the effect on her peer group and what the graduates of 2020 can do to increase their profile and reach. “Be dynamic. Go out there and see who you can help, so that we can all weather the storm and get through it together.”