Ivo Usmiani, President of JGL’s Board of Directors, has won the Croatian “Entrepreneur of the Year” award for 2023! The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award celebrates courageous visionaries whose success inspires others, who promote growth and progress, and who prove that ideas can be turned into a successful entrepreneurial story. For the ninth Croatian edition of the award, an independent jury chose the winner among 33 candidates from 28 successful domestic companies.
“I see this award as a recognition for all JGL employees who have each woven a part of themselves into the company in their own way. With their creativity, innovation, strength and passion, they give meaning to all our processes”, says Ivo Usmiani, who will represent Croatia at the world finals in Monaco, where he will compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year award.
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme is implemented in more than 60 countries worldwide and was introduced in Croatia in 2014. In addition to the winner Ivo Usmiani, this year’s finalists also included Ksenija and Ivan Mesarić from IM-COMP, Katica Hauptfeld from Katarina Line, Goran and Ivan Dell’Orco from Marikomerc, and Jure Širić from Modepack.
“Just like in previous years, we once again ‘mixed an entire spectrum of colours on the same canvas’ by inviting 33 entrepreneurs from 28 companies. It is a diverse group of entrepreneurial visionaries who delighted us with their success, work and incredible results. Just like artists, they once had an empty canvas in front of them and a vision in their mind. Then, through hard work and dedication, they have managed to turn their vision into reality”, said Berislav Horvat, Country Managing Partner at EY Croatia, in his opening statement.
Minister of Finance Marko Primorac emphasised that the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme promotes success, innovation, creativity and commitment to work.
“Croatia has been successful in navigating recent crises; entrepreneurs have shown that they know how to play their part, to produce and employ, and the government has shown that it recognises situations in which entrepreneurs need support. Our entrepreneurs create added value, they are ready to maintain a high level of employment and to do everything that Croatia needs at any given moment”, said Minister Marko Primorac.
Since the first edition, jury members have included Emil Tedeschi, serving as President of the jury, along with Saša Cvetojević and Nenad Bakić. Over the years, they have been joined by previous winners – Alan Sumina, Mate Rimac, Silvio Kutić, Hrvoje Josip Balen, and Miljenko Borščak. This year, for the very first time, members also included last year’s winner, Vjekoslav Majetić and three finalists from previous editions – Jadranka Boban Pejić, Anita Cvetić Oreščanin and Dorotea Effenberger.