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Dr Samantha Atkinson | Chief Executive
Sam joins TOPRA with almost 25 years' experience working across the life sciences sector. Sam enjoyed successful career at the UK MHRA for almost 16 years, undertaking a variety of different roles from the Inspectorate through to Board level. Before leaving Sam was Chief Quality and Access Officer with accountability for regulatory activities across the UK supply chain. Sam also gained extensive experience in crisis management, having led national and international scale incidents, and was the Executive lead for the MHRA’s response to the pandemic.
Sam moved to the UK Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) where she was appointed as the Director of Social Care Reform leading the delivery of the multi-£bn Social Care Charging Reform programme across the UK. Sam left the UK Civil Service at the end of 2022 and moved to work for a consultancy, developing and driving business growth strategies in new geographical target markets. Sam is passionate about improving outcomes for patients and the public, delivering through innovative solutions and using systems thinking to achieve improvement and changes at scale.
Contact Samantha for: strategy and governance enquiries.
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Joe Jennings | Director of Engagement
Joe has more than 20 years' experience in marketing and communications, with much of that spent in professional membership bodies representing areas that include public health, engineering and accounting. Before joining TOPRA he was Head of Marketing & Communications at the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. He is responsible for overseeing TOPRA communications and PR, marketing, digital and publishing activities.
Contact Joe for: corporate communications and PR, publishing and awards.
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John O'Keeffe | Director of Professional Development
John has over 25 years’ experience in education and training, much of which has been spent working for professional membership bodies. Prior to joining TOPRA, his roles have included Head of Education & Careers at the Landscape Institute and Assistant Director of Education & Training at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. John oversees the Professional Development team whose responsibilities include delivering TOPRA’s training courses and eLearning, the Symposium, the MSc programme and the Level 7 Apprenticeship. John is also a qualified apprenticeship assessor and internal verifier, and a Member of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
Contact John for: information about professional development including courses, webinars, conferences, lifelong learning, opportunities to volunteer in training the next generation of regulatory affairs professionals, the MSc programme and apprenticeship.
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Jay Gill | Director of Finance and Operations
Jay has over 9 years’ experience in finance. He excelled in his role as Financial Controller and was ready to take on the position of Director of Finance and Operations when the opportunity presented itself. He is responsible for financial sustainability and operational efficiency. The experience gained in his previous role, combined with his understanding of TOPRA's inner workings, has made Jay an increasingly valuable member of the team.
Contact Jay for: financial & budgeting enquiries, investments, VAT, operational queries.
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