The Inc.Q ALL Certificate represents the highest standard of excellence in corporate governance. The first certificates in Croatia were presented to INA, d.d. in the GROW category and to Solvership in the LEAD category by Diana Kobas Dešković, CEO of Spona Code, the company responsible for conducting the evaluation. The certificates were awarded following an independent certification process that assesses a wide range of indicators aligned with international corporate governance standards.

“The Inc.Q ALL certificates and awards recognize the courage of companies that remain true to their commitment to people and society, regardless of trends. It takes bravery to measure what truly matters, benchmark against others, and continuously improve leadership of people and processes. Inclusivity is not just a trend—it is a value-driven choice that transforms organizations, communities, and society as a whole. The awarded companies go beyond good practice; they serve as an inspiration for inclusive leadership, building trust, and genuine care for people and society,” said Diana Kobas Dešković.

The significance of this recognition for business was highlighted by Tome Barić, Director of Human Resources at INA, d.d

“The Inc.Q ALL Certificate represents an important recognition of our long-term efforts in building a responsible, transparent, and inclusive people management system at INA. It is not only a validation of the policies and processes we have developed but also of their real-world application and impact on the day-to-day experience of our colleagues. We believe that a company’s long-term success is built on trust, fairness, and care for people and the community in which it operates, and the Inc.Q certification is a key tool in this process, helping us understand real data and gain guidance for further improvement,” said Tome Barić, INA.

Ana Josipović & Sara Kralj (METRO Cash & Carry)

This year, METRO Cash & Carry stood out by winning in five categories: Best Large Company for Diversity and Inclusion, Best Large Company for Women, Best Large Company for Professionals, Best Wholesale Company for Inclusive Leadership, and Best Wholesale Company for Inclusive HR Policies and Practices. Following closely was INA with four awards: Best Large Company for Inclusive Social Impact, Best Energy Company for Inclusive Leadership, Best Energy Company for Inclusive HR Policies and Practices, and Best Energy Company for Inclusive Internal Communication. KONČAR D&ST was recognized as the Best Large Company for Well-being, Best Large Company for Benefits, and Best Technology Company for Professionals.

Privredna banka Zagreb stood out in two special categories, receiving awards for Best Large Company for Inclusive Internal Communication and Best Large Company for Inclusive HR Policies and Practices. JANAF was honored as the Best State-Owned Company for Inclusive Social Impact and Best State-Owned Company for Inclusive HR Policies and Practices, while Arena Hospitality Group was recognized as the Best Hospitality Company for Inclusive Internal Communication, and Ergomed Group as the Best Life Science Company for Inclusive Internal Communication.

Based on employee feedback, awards for Inclusive Leadership went, in addition to INA and METRO, to Telemach in the large company category, Solvership in the SME category, and Zagorje Development Agency in the public sector. The winners emphasized that employee trust as a key indicator that inclusivity is genuinely practiced in everyday work, not just through formal policies.

“This recognition, which we are extremely proud of, confirms our ongoing commitment to building a supportive, inclusive, and equitable work environment where diversity is seen as a strength and equal opportunities are ensured through concrete practices and policies. We believe that inclusive leadership starts with active listening, mutual respect, and open dialogue, and is reflected in the everyday decisions and behaviors of leaders. We continue to nurture a culture of trust where every employee has the support to grow, develop, and reach their full potential,” said Adrian Ježina, CEO of Telemach.

Andreja Gracin & Adrian Ježina (Telemach)

Inclusivity, diversity, and fairness are key drivers of innovation, well-being, job satisfaction, and social progress. The awarding of Inc.Q certificates and recognition, regardless of company size or ownership, demonstrates that inclusivity in business is increasingly becoming a strategic commitment. Responsible corporate governance, inclusion of all, and care for people are not at odds with business success; they are a prerequisite, as a sustainable future is built with people.

The Inc.Q ALL Certificates highlight organizations’ dedication to creating work environments that simultaneously promote inclusivity, fairness, and transparency. This approach has a positive impact on employees, their families, and society as a whole, which is especially important in the context of planetary and population sustainability, given climate change and demographic challenges.

Statements from Inc.Q BEST Inclusive Employer Award Winners

“We are extremely proud to receive the Inc.Q BEST Inclusive Employer Award in the category of Best Hospitality Company for Inclusive Internal Communication. This recognition affirms our long-term commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and accepted. Through modern internal communication tools, we ensure transparent information flow, open dialogue, and active engagement from all team members. We would especially like to thank our team members for their trust, openness, and dedication,” said Isabella Frančula, HR Director at Arena Hospitality Group d.d.

Isabella Frančula (Arena Hospitality Group)

“The award for Best Inclusive Internal Communication is a strong recognition for Ergomed Group and a clear affirmation of the inclusive culture we have built in a global and highly diverse environment. This culture is based on trust, collaboration, and our mission to put patient safety at the center of everything we do. Through open communication and a strong speak-up culture, we foster accountability, better decision-making, and higher quality in everyday work. When every voice is heard and respected, we create an environment where safety, trust, and care for patients are real values, not just principles,” said Jasmina Punek, VP of Human Resources and People and Culture Communication at Ergomed Group.

Nikolina Bulat, Anica Vrlec Bartolić, Jasmina Punek, Ivana Topalović (Ergomed Group) & Diana Kobas Dešković (Spona Code)

“I am extremely pleased that we are part of the Inc.Q story again this year. The number of participants clearly shows how important it is to build inclusivity, not just through policies, but through real practices that shape everyday work life. These awards are not only a recognition but also a strong incentive for all companies to create environments where every employee feels welcomed and able to contribute. For INA, this confirms that we are heading in the right direction, while also reinforcing our commitment to continue developing a culture of diversity, fairness, and belonging,” said Tome Barić, Director of Human Resources at INA, d.d.

Tome Barić (INA) & Željka Josić (Ministry of Demographics and Immigration)

“Receiving the Inc.Q BEST Inclusive Employer Award in the categories of Best State-Owned Company for Inclusive Social Impact and for Inclusive HR Policies and Practices is an extremely valuable recognition for JANAF, confirming that our initiatives have a real and measurable impact. I would like to extend special thanks to our employees, whose experiences, feedback, and openness have made a significant contribution to this process. It is their trust and active participation that enable us to continuously improve HR practices and build a work environment where everyone feels respected, included, and empowered. As a state-owned company, we are aware of our responsibility towards our employees and society as a whole, and we remain committed to creating equal opportunities and a supportive work environment for all,” said Nada Zovko Radanović, Head of Human Resources at JANAF d.d.

Nada Zovko Radanović (JANAF)

“We are proud to receive the Inc.Q BEST Inclusive Employer Award for Best Benefits, Well-being, and Professional Development. These awards affirm our commitment to creating a work environment that fosters growth, balance, and excellence,” said Kristina Dimitrov, Board Member at KONČAR D&ST.

Kristina Dimitrov (Končar D&ST)

“Winning the Inc.Q BEST Inclusive Employer Awards in five different categories is a strong affirmation of the direction we are pursuing as an organization over the long term. Diversity, inclusion, equity, and people development are not just initiatives for us—they are an integral part of how we lead teams, make decisions, and build a sustainable corporate culture. We are especially pleased that our HR practices and inclusive leadership style have been recognized. This recognition belongs to all our employees, whose behaviors and values create a work environment every day that respects diversity and fosters professional growth,” said Ana Josipović, Head of Human Resources at METRO Cash & Carry.

Ana Josipović (Metro Cash & Carry)

“We are proud that Privredna banka Zagreb has received the Inc.Q BEST Inclusive Employer Award for Inclusive Internal Communication and HR Practices. These recognitions affirm our systematic and long-term approach to developing initiatives for all employees, which are clearly communicated and continuously improved. We place special emphasis on well-defined recruitment and development processes, accessible training, and policies that ensure an equitable, supportive, and inclusive work environment. We thank all our colleagues whose daily work and engagement contribute to a culture of respect, collaboration, and inclusion,” said Darija Anić, Director of Internal Communications and CSR, Human Resources, Privredna banka Zagreb.

Maja Tvrdić, Darija Anić i Kornelija Knez (PBZ)

“Inclusivity is not just an HR initiative, but a foundation of our business strategy. We are very proud and honored to receive this award, which affirms our belief that creating an environment where every voice is heard drives innovation, engagement, and added value. At the same time, this recognition challenges us to continue building a culture where every employee feels valued, motivated, and safe to express their opinions and show their authenticity. This award is proof that when people can truly be themselves at work, we achieve extraordinary results together,” said Anita Cvetić Oreščanin, Board Member at Solvership.

Anita Cvetić Oreščanin i Ivana Pešut (Solvership)

“The Inc.Q BEST Inclusive Employer Award gives us a boost, showing that despite limited resources and the social stigma often associated with working in the public sector, we are building an inclusive organization that listens to the needs and ideas of our employees. We believe that life begins beyond the comfort zone, and as the Zagorje Development Agency, we step out of our comfort zone every day to create a safe and supportive environment where diversity drives creativity, productivity, and growth. After receiving this award, we feel the spirit of ‘Smogovci’ applies to us: we may be small, but we are big enough not to be small,” said Gordana Ana Dijaković, Head of Finance and General Affairs at the Zagorje Development Agency.

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