Damir Zorić Steps Down, Irena Weber Appointed New CEO of HUP

After two years in the top position, in agreement with the management of the Croatian Employers’ Association Damir Zorić is stepping down as CEO of HUP, according to a statement sent by the Croatian Employers’ Association.

Zorić, a long-time member of the Executive Board of HUP, has a rich business career, having held various state positions and spent many years in leading positions in insurance companies. He led HUP during a period marked by the crisis caused by the coronavirus and represented the interests of the Croatian economy and entrepreneurship during that time, confirming HUP’s status as a quality social partner. During Mr. Damir Zorić’s term, negotiations began on a new Labor Law, and a proposal for a comprehensive tax reform was submitted to the Government of the Republic of Croatia.

The Executive Board of HUP appointed Irena Weber as the new CEO at its meeting, who will take office on September 1, 2022.

Irena Weber is a manager with extensive experience in the corporate and financial sector. She has worked on the largest merger, acquisition, and restructuring transactions in Croatia and the region. Her rich experience working with companies from almost all business sectors has given her valuable insight into the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the Croatian economy.

The Croatian economy is under pressure from the energy crisis and historically high inflation. The burden of the energy crisis in the first half of this year has largely fallen on entrepreneurs, whose costs for gas and electricity have increased by up to five times. Therefore, the key challenge is to urgently devise a model, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Croatia, to reduce the pressure on entrepreneurs and ensure a stable business future for large manufacturing systems as well as small and medium-sized enterprises.

– We are facing a very  challenging autumn. The focus of the Croatian Employers’ Association will be to quickly reach an agreement on gas and electricity prices for entrepreneurs. At this moment, companies are paying up to five times higher bills for energy than in the same period last year, which no entrepreneur can endure without severe consequences. The business sector is no longer able to bear the rising energy costs and the upcoming energy and digital transition, which is necessary for their survival. Entrepreneurs are the ones who ensure salaries for all employees and pensions for citizens, investments, development, and growth of standards. This is the moment when we must help them overcome this growing crisis – said the CEO of HUP, Irena Weber. 

The Croatian Employers’ Association thanked Zorić for his dedicated work and advocacy for a better entrepreneurial climate in Croatia.

– Damir took over the leadership of HUP during challenging times for entrepreneurs and the economy in Croatia, successfully consolidating the organization and achieving the set goals, contributing to the recognition of the importance of employers. We thank Damir for his contributions so far, and we wish Irena much success in her work –  said the president of HUP Mihael Furjan.