60 seconds with Rachel McMillan

Monday 15 September 2025

Tell us about your role and your organisation

I’m the General Manager at Clockwise Offices, a vibrant, community-led serviced office space in River House, Cathedral Quarter. I’ve been in the role for over 7 years, working alongside my brilliant team—Lauren McCann, Lauren Drain and Yasmin—to manage our member community and the building day to day, from maintenance and upkeep to a lively events programme.

Clockwise offers: an onsite café (Two Hands), an outdoor terrace with city views, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, 14 private phone booths and focus rooms, showers and bike racks, onsite parking, fully stocked kitchens, and inspiring breakout and chill-out areas. We provide fully furnished offices from 4–42 desks, coworking memberships, and day passes for our club lounge. A key benefit is flexibility: rolling monthly memberships (no lengthy tie-ins) and the ability to scale up or down with ease. We’re part of the wider Clockwise family spanning 18 sites across the UK and Europe. My main responsibility is showcasing our space and delivering the best possible experience for our members.

Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far

I started in retail as a sales consultant at Dreams, working alongside my sister—this sparked my passion for sales and people. I then spent over 10 years in hospitality with Hilton and Hastings Culloden, completing my university placement in sales and events (selling Christmas party nights) and later working across restaurant, spa, and reception. I became Cluster Conference & Events Sales Executive at Hilton for 4+ years, managing some of NI’s biggest events and many weddings (my favourite!).

In 2018, I was approached about Clockwise. I initially applied for Assistant Manager, thinking the GM role was beyond me—but the owners saw my potential. Seven years on, I’ve grown the business from zero to 100% occupancy, built a thriving community of dynamic businesses, and helped cement Clockwise as Belfast’s highest-rated serviced office space. Beyond my GM role, I’m a Director on the board of Cathedral Quarter BID, and a volunteer, mentor, and business backer for Young Enterprise NI. I’m passionate about living out our strong EST strategy, making a positive impact on people, place, and planet.

What is one skill that helps you most in your role and why?

People skills. People buy from people—it’s true. I credit much of this to my sister, the best salesperson I knew, whose warmth brought customers back time and again. I tragically lost her in 2008, and her example still guides me.

What advice do you have for women in your industry?

Keep calm and carry on. When stress hits, I take a few deep breaths, make a cup of tea, and focus on one thing at a time. Ask questions, seek advice, and lean on others for support. And take your lunch away from your desk—balance and mental health matter.

Are there any exciting plans in the year ahead for your organisation?

We’ve just completed a major reinvestment. The focus now is on enhancing our current assets rather than opening new locations—so expect significant upgrades across the board. Watch this space!

Who has been your biggest career inspiration and why?

My sister—always. She had a special spark and a way with people that left a lasting impression.

Soundtrack for the workday

“Little Bird” — Annie Lennox.

How can members connect with you?

I love meeting in person—pop into Clockwise River House for a cuppa at our onsite café, or send me a message on LinkedIn.

Monday 15 September 2025