At Kukla, career growth is a pathway, and few stories embody this better than Erin Harvey’s. Our HR & Claims Manager at Kukla UK transitioned from retail management into logistics and human resources, revealing the power of transferable skills and the strength of a company that nurtures ambition at every level.
Erin’s journey is a compelling reflection of Kukla’s culture: progressive, stable and deeply committed to empowering individuals to grow alongside the company.
In this feature, Erin shares her professional evolution, from her roots in retail to her growing leadership role today. It’s a story of purpose-driven learning, on-the-ground operational insight and a forward-looking commitment to both customer service and sustainability.
Reflecting on your early days at Kukla UK, you made the transition between two industries with very different dynamics. In what ways did your previous experience shape your leadership and people management style today?
I joined Kukla at the start of 2022, and the knowledge and experience I’ve gained since then have been incredibly valuable and have helped to shape my professional growth. Prior to joining Kukla, I spent several years working in retail management, where the fast-paced and people-focused environment helped me develop many core skills I still rely on today: from leading teams and solving problems to delivering exceptional customer service and empowering my team and peers around me to deliver the same.
“I truly believe that in order to support a business, you need to understand its day-to-day operations and the intricacies.”
You started in operations while pursuing a formal HR qualification. How did that dual path help inform your current leadership role?
My journey with Kukla began in operations, working in the Italian department while I studied for an Associate Diploma in People Management as part of my goal to become an HR professional. Working in the operations team was, in my opinion, the key to my success. I truly believe that in order to support a business, you need to understand its day-to-day operations and the intricacies involved in keeping everything running smoothly, ensuring both efficiency and customer satisfaction.
I am proud to be part of Kukla and to contribute to the company’s continued success and growth. A personal highlight for me was achieving our continuous AEO status in 2024. As always, the team went above and beyond, and this accreditation is a testament to our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in supply chain security and customs compliance.
“I oversee all insurance-related matters. My responsibility is to ensure that each issue is handled efficiently, fairly and in a timely manner.”
Claims handling is often where customer experience and operational resilience intersect. What’s your approach to navigating complex or sensitive insurance claims?
In my current HR and Administration role, I oversee all insurance-related matters. This includes conducting thorough due diligence on the carriers that we work with and acting as the main point of contact for our customers throughout the claims process.
As with the wider world of insurance, not every claim is straightforward. As the claim’s handler, my responsibility is to ensure that each issue is handled efficiently, fairly and in a timely manner while keeping our customers well-informed at every step. In this role, I work closely with insurance brokers, maintaining strong relationships to help resolve issues effectively. This often involves reviewing terms, exploring alternative solutions and continually developing my knowledge to provide the best possible guidance to our customers. Our blog entry titled Freight Liability Insurance explained: Protecting your cargo, minimising risk explains insurance in more detail.
“We are committed to being a sustainable business, and we are actively working to reduce our environmental impact.”
Kukla is taking tangible steps toward sustainability. What role are you playing in shaping and driving that agenda forward?
I am currently focused on increasing our sustainability efforts here at Kukla. We are committed to being a sustainable business, and as part of this, we are actively working on a roadmap to reduce our environmental impact. In Q3, we will begin the process of gaining globally recognised sustainability accreditations.
As I mentioned earlier, I am proud to work for Kukla and to be part of such an amazing team that inspires me with their knowledge and dedication to providing great service to all of our customers. In my relatively short time with the company, I have learned and developed so much, and I believe that it is largely because Kukla has given me the platform to do so. The progress I’ve made in my own career reflects the company’s growth, and I am excited about what is still to come for Kukla and me.