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Five Minute Focus On: Donna Daniels, Glandore

Glandore Members & Partners

Tell us about yourself

I am a Derry girl and moved to Belfast 12 years ago for work, fell in love with the city and haven’t left. I studied International Business at University of Ulster then came to Belfast via the beautiful Castle Leslie Estate where I was Guest Relations Manager. Although I liked country living my experiences have very much cemented my City Girl status.

Tell us about your role at Glandore?

I have been with Glandore 6 years in August this year. I head up the Belfast Operations team. The primary focus of the role is to deliver all aspects of operational activities and to be responsible for delivering the over-arching objectives of the company. I am responsible for the operational management of around 40,000 ft 2 of Grade A office accommodation and manage the business needs of 600 individuals.

What do you like about living and working in Belfast?

Belfast is a unique, diverse and multicultural city that I am proud to call home. I love its vibrancy and witnessing its transformation to a real destination city over the last 12 years has been incredible.

Working in the City Centre gives you a bird’s eye view of the city’s economic and cultural life. There always seems to be a festival of some sort on with a thriving arts and culture scene. Belfast is incredibly business friendly with excellent connectivity, a highly skilled workforce and great transport links.  Not forgetting the restaurant scene which is in my opinion is second to none.

What do you like to do when you are not working?

Read. I seem to have an addiction to female personal development books. From Arianna Huffington to Sheryl Sandberg, Michelle Obama to Mary Portas; I have read them all.

I love Mary Portas’ advice on the future of being successful in work. Instead of ‘Leaning in’ with men, that we would do well to embrace all those wonderful thing’s women bring to the workplace namely empathy, collaboration and flexibility.

Who inspires you and why?

I love Old Hollywood and I am fascinated by Hedy Lamarr. She was a beautiful movie star in the 1940’s and an inventor whose inventions helped shape Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth as we know it today. She was always underestimated and never got the recognition she deserved for her contribution to science because her silver screen status. I love that she didn’t conform to what was expected of her.

What are your goals for 2019?

To add increasing value to the Glandore member experience by providing continued operational and business support to members and staff.

Also, to move more, although finding the time to fit in exercise in with a small child is proving tough. I know Nicola our Community Executive will have a remedy and happily sign me up to one of our lunchtime member exercise sessions. ?

Friday nights in or Friday nights out?

It was nights out before my son arrived. Now he’s at the climbing out of the pram stage we’ve opted for nights in, usually via The Vineyard on the Ormeau Road for whatever red wine the guys recommend.

Does working in Belfast appeal to you? Find out more on our Belfast Glandore office space here.  Or, if you are already living and working in Belfast, let us know what your favourite things are about the city @GlandoreNetwork.

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