In the eighth of our “5 Questions with..” series, we talk to Joanna Kowalczyk, Logistics Coordinator at Gill. We asked her what’s exciting about her role, what changes she sees coming and her love for cooking and food.
Q.1 – What excites you most about Gill and your role here?
I enjoy working at Gill mainly because the colleagues are friendly and supportive. There’s always a positive atmosphere, and I know I can rely on anyone, even from other departments. The company is well respected, and I’m proud to be part of it.
My role involves working across departments and staying flexible to find solutions, so clear communication at different levels is essential. Each day brings new opportunities, challenges and moments of real satisfaction, and I believe every company should offer that. Gill Group certainly does.
Q.2 – You’ve been in this industry for many years – what keeps it interesting for you?
I work with transport across the world, so time zones don’t really limit my day-to-day work. Sometimes decisions need to be made quickly. Shipping moves at a fast pace and can be intense at times. The role demands attention to detail, flexibility and confident negotiation skills.
I like to think I have a good sense of fairness in how people operate, and I’m able to understand different points of view. I rely on this approach every day. In the end, we all want the same thing: to find quick, workable solutions and close the deal.
Q.3 – How do you see the industry changing in the next five years?
The industry is already moving quickly and will continue to progress at an even faster pace. We need to be ready for new growth opportunities as they come.
Like many people, I’m interested in how AI can support our work, help us perform better and open new possibilities. This will call for a more adaptable mindset, but there is always room to improve and to find better ways of working. I’m not worried about these changes, and I don’t think any business should be. These IT solutions should be welcomed, as they allow employees to focus on building strong relationships with colleagues, customers and partners..
Q.4 – Who has inspired you the most in your career, and what did you learn from them?
My choice of university and course was almost accidental, but I soon realised how central international trade, shipping and cargo movement are to everyday life as consumers. I found the subject engaging at school, and I look back on those years fondly.
A few lecturers really opened my eyes to the realities of trading and the importance of shipping rules, regulations, politics, and wider market conditions that can shift for many different reasons. I’ve met professionals and academics who could spark a whole wave of questions with a single comment.
Over the years, I’ve also learnt to look for kindness in people. Being clever or switched on doesn’t always come with genuine or human behaviour, so I try to value the latter in the people I meet.
Q.5 – Tell us something about yourself that might surprise us.
I’m not sure this will surprise anyone, but I’m definitely not the only person who enjoys driving with the music turned right up, sometimes with the windows open (though only in June or July). The surprising part might be the music itself, but I’ll keep that to myself: it only happens when I’m driving alone.
I also love food, which isn’t exactly a secret, but not everyone knows that I’m a decent cook. I’m happy to spend hours trying new recipes, exploring different cuisines and experimenting with new flavours.
I also enjoy musicals, theatre, shows and the odd museum visit when I have a spare moment. That doesn’t happen as often as I’d like though, because most of my time is spent with my family, who matter to me most.
