Zagreb’s illustrious Esplanade Hotel was the stage for the 33rd annual Manager of the Year Awards, hosted by the Croatian Association of Managers and Entrepreneurs (HUM-CROMA). The gala evening saw the crème de la crème of Croatian business gather to honour their peers, with 11 distinguished awards bestowed upon leaders who have demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial spirit, enthusiasm, and a commitment to professional, ethical, and responsible management over the past year.
An independent jury, composed of seasoned business leaders, members of HUM-CROMA’s Executive and Management Boards, academic representatives, media figures, and members of the Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development, alongside previous award winners, had the formidable task of selecting this year’s laureates.
In the large enterprises category, the spotlight fell on Mislav Vučić, CEO of Jadran Galenski Laboratorij (JGL d.d.) since 2017. A University of Zagreb Economics graduate, Vučić’s illustrious career began at Pliva, leading to significant roles at Teva Romania and across the pharmaceutical industry, culminating in his leadership at JGL.
Anita Cvetić Orešćanin of Poslovna inteligencija d.o.o. clinched the title of Best Manager 2023 in the medium-sized enterprises category, with Iva Rogović Lekić of MARSH d.o.o. taking home the award in the small enterprises segment. Dubravka Vrgoč, of Project Open House Zagreb 2023, was celebrated as the project manager of the year, while Teo Širola of Metamorfoza d.o.o. emerged as the top young manager.
The jury also recognised Huseyin Bahadir Bedir of Zagreb Airport d.d. as the foreign manager of the year, with Vjekoslav Majetić of DOK-ING d.o.o. named entrepreneur of the year, and Tomislav Cikač of Pro-Klima d.o.o. as the best manager of a foreign company.
Lifetime achievement accolades were awarded to Gordana Kovačević of Ericsson Nikola Tesla d.d. and Bogdan Tihava of Auto Hrvatska d.d., while the “Tihomir Premužak” award for positive social impact was bestowed upon Kristijan Cinotti of MAZARS CINOTTI AUDIT d.o.o.
The ceremony enjoyed the high patronage of President Zoran Milanović, with the support of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and the City of Zagreb, and was sponsored by Heidelberg Materials, DS Smith, Quehenberger Logistics, Messer Croatia Plin, and others, underscoring the event’s prestige and significance in Croatia’s business calendar.
