Supporting TOPRA navigate a complex office move

As the global voice for regulatory affairs professionals in healthcare, The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs (TOPRA) plays a pivotal role in advancing excellence in the field. With a strong commitment to professional development, thought leadership and global connection, TOPRA’s London-based headquarters serves as a hub for its worldwide community.

When a planned redevelopment was announced by their landlord, TOPRA knew they had to relocate their offices. For a team of around 25, the move wasn’t just about finding a new space, it was about ensuring a seamless transition, avoiding disruption to daily operations and ensuring that the high standard of service they provide to members wasn’t compromised. It was also an opportunity to create a better working environment to support growth, learning and innovation.

Facilities Manager at TOPRA, Diane Riaubiene, says:

We knew the move was going to be significant, and we needed legal guidance to navigate the lease process with confidence.

Their relocation plans hit an unexpected delay, so Senior Commercial Property Solicitor, Samantha Paxton, stepped in to support them every step of the way.

With their new premises not ready as scheduled, Samantha negotiated an extension to their existing lease, avoiding the risk of being left without a base of operations. Once the new property was finally ready, James Hastings also assisted in negotiating and arranging for a smooth surrender of the existing lease, ensuring no overlap in liabilities or disruption to business continuity.

At the same time, Samantha advised on and negotiated the terms of the new lease, securing favourable terms and a clear path forward for the client’s growing business.

Diane says:

Having Samantha guide us through the legal process gave us great peace of mind. She was always clear and responsive, helping us understand each step without overwhelming us with legal jargon. The service was not only professional but very personal.

Commenting on working with the TOPRA team, Samantha adds:

Working with Diane and the TOPRA team was a real pleasure. They were organised, responsive and clearly committed to making the move a success. It was rewarding to support a team so focused on creating a better space for their people and community.

TOPRA use our Engage service plan, an alternative to our subscription model, which provides immediate, ad-hoc access to legal expertise. It’s a flexible solution that suits businesses looking for legal support as and when they need it.

Diana commented:

The Engage plan works really well for us. It means we can pick up the phone as and when something comes up. It feels like we have in-house legal support, without the cost of hiring internally.

The move marks a new chapter for TOPRA as they look ahead to the next phase of their organisational strategy. The new office has already been a boost to staff morale and engagement and is set to improve the experience for the many members, delegates and stakeholders who visit.

Diane says:

This new space helps us set the tone. We’re now in a place that reflects the professionalism and ambition of our community - and Samantha played an important part in making that happen.