Lutetium alkyl complexes [Lu(L)(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF)_n], which contain a sulfur-linked bis(phenolato) ligand such as 2,2′-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) (L = tbmp, 1) or 1,4-dithiabutanediyl-bis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) (L = etbmp, 2), were isolated from the reaction of the lutetium tris(alkyl) complex [Lu(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂] with H₂L. The monomeric structures of these complexes were confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies, showing distorted octahedral geometry around the metal centre. The reaction of [Lu(tbmp)(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF)₂] (1) with alcohols ROH (R = iPr, CHPh₂, CPh₃) results in the formation of the corresponding alkoxide complexes [Lu(tbmp)(OR)(THF)_n] (4–6). With PhSiH₃ hydride complexes [Lu(L)(µ-H)(THF)_n]₂ (L = tbmp, 7; etbmp, 8) have been prepared in moderate to good yields. They adopt a dimeric form in the solid state as revealed by the X-ray crystal structure of 7. The reactivity of the hydride complexes and their catalytic activity in the ring-opening polymerisation of L-lactide and the hydrosilylation of alkenes are also discussed.